Saints won't be holding joint practices with Chargers, but will work in California

There's a change of plans for the New Orleans Saints' summer schedule. It was initially reported that the Saints would be holding joint practices with the Los Angeles Chargers ahead of their Aug. 10 preseason game, but on Thursday head coach Kellen Moore said that won't be the case. Instead, the team will practice independently at UC Irvine in early August ahead of their preseason opener against the Chargers.

Joint sessions would have provided valuable reps against an AFC playoff team, led by former Chargers coaches including Moore and Brandon Staley. However, the Saints will still benefit from escaping the sweltering New Orleans heat for the second consecutive year. The team is now scheduled to practice at UC Irvine from August 6 through August 15 -- a nine-day stretch of camp in mild Southern California.

Last summer, fans were not permitted to attend these practices, even though NFL marketing guidelines allowed for limited access. General manager Mickey Loomis guessed that not enough fans would have made the trip, so he chose not to bother with the logistics of hosting a crowd. Whether that will change this year remains to be seen, especially under the leadership of a new head coach.

With that said, Moore has already shown a more player-focused approach since taking over, emphasizing team chemistry and culture. He canceled the final mandatory minicamp session in favor of a team bonding outing, and has now taken players on three different excursions, including a visit to Alvin Kamara’s Five O Fore Golf facility.

As the team prepares for the 2025 season, Moore’s emphasis on connection and team building could prove to be just as important as any practice rep.