| 2006 New Orleans Saints season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Tom Benson |
| General manager | Mickey Loomis |
| Head coach | Sean Payton |
| Home field | Louisiana Superdome |
| Results | |
| Record | 10–6 |
| Division place | 1st NFC South |
| Playoff finish | Won Divisional Playoffs (vs. Eagles) 27–24 Lost NFC Championship (at Bears) 14–39 |
| Pro Bowlers | QB Drew Brees OT Jammal Brown DE Will Smith |
| AP All-Pros | QB Drew Brees (1st team) OT Jammal Brown (1st team) FB Mike Karney (2nd team) |
The 2006 season was the New Orleans Saints' 40th in the National Football League (NFL).
The season began with the team returning to New Orleans after a year in exile from the city, and trying to improve on their 3–13 record in 2005. All of the team's 2006 regular season home games were played in the Louisiana Superdome, which had been unplayable for the entire 2005 season after being damaged during Hurricane Katrina. Led by a new coach, Sean Payton, and a new quarterback, Drew Brees, the Saints enjoyed their most successful season up to that time, reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2000 and the NFC Championship Game for the first time in franchise history.
After a poor season for Aaron Brooks, he was released and eventually signed with the Oakland Raiders. This called for Drew Brees to take his place permanently, after his stint with the San Diego Chargers, which led to an injury last season.