New Orleans Saints use bye week for evaluation, launch fan sweepstakes
The New Orleans Saints said in a team release published Oct. 28, 2026, that they will use the NFL bye week to evaluate personnel and look for opportunities to improve the roster and on-field performance. The club pointed fans to a column by John DeShazier outlining how the organization plans to approach the break. The release framed the bye as a chance for reflection and adjustment amid the first half of the season.
The team also unveiled the Saints Way to Beach Sweepstakes presented by Visit Pensacola, offering fans a chance to win a package that includes Saints vs. Packers tickets, pregame field passes and a three-night beach getaway. The sweepstakes entry period runs through Nov. 2, 2026, according to the team announcement. The release noted that the promotion is part of broader fan-engagement activities during the bye week.
The Saints release highlighted additional fan-focused items, including a gallery of fan photos from New Orleans’ Week 7 matchup in Paris against the Pittsburgh Steelers and a reminder to shop season apparel in the official Saints Pro Shop. The team promoted new black and gold apparel, hats and other merchandise for the 2026 season. The club encouraged supporters to download the official Saints app and enable notifications to keep the black and gold at their fingertips while the roster rests and coaches evaluate personnel.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Using the bye week to conduct internal evaluations is a standard practice, and the Saints have signaled they will use the break for that purpose, as noted in the team release published Oct. 28, 2026. The sweepstakes and merchandising push serve to maintain fan interest during a lull in on-field activity, with the entry deadline of Nov. 2 providing a near-term call to action. Sharing fan photos from the Week 7 trip to Paris keeps recent game coverage visible and supports community connection after the game in Paris. Combining roster work with promotional outreach allows the franchise to balance short-term competitive needs with fan engagement initiatives.