The Saints (5-10) hit all-time low in Week 16’s 34-0 loss to the Packers (11-4).
There are not any fast fixes to make the Saints a contender in 2025, however the franchise can start laying the groundwork for its subsequent playoff-caliber staff this offseason.
Listed here are three issues New Orleans ought to do to raise itself out of the NFL’s decrease class.
1. Restructure entrance workplace
As New Orleans begins its rebuild, proprietor Gayle Benson ought to contemplate beginning on the prime.
Normal supervisor Mickey Loomis has been in his submit since 2002. Per Stathead, the Saints have the league’s ninth-most wins throughout that span (208), solely trailing the Packers (230), Eagles (218) and Seahawks (212) within the NFC.
Whereas Loomis has proved to be among the many most adept GMs at manipulating the wage cap, he is additionally answerable for the Saints’ present quagmire. Plus, with New Orleans needing a head coach, it is likely to be higher to start out over at normal supervisor, too, so the positions are aligned.
The NFL front-office pipeline is full of executives who’re due for promotions. New Orleans has plucked a number of former Chiefs — together with security Tyrann Mathieu, defensive lineman Khalen Saunders and linebacker Willie Homosexual Jr. — over the previous couple of seasons and will look to their entrance workplace for its subsequent lead govt.
Assistant normal supervisor Mike Borgonzi, who has been with the Chiefs for 16 seasons, could be a prime contender for a promotion.
Bucs assistant normal supervisor John Spytek could be one other intriguing possibility after serving to construct Tampa Bay right into a three-time (and counting) NFC South champion.
Different NFL entrance places of work can have different deserving candidates, giving New Orleans a number of choices to reassemble its energy construction.
2. Add 2025 NFL Draft capital
Permit us to summarize New Orleans’ early 2025 NFL Draft positional wants:
New Orleans wants as a lot assist as doable, however given its troublesome salary-cap place, it will not have the ability to add a lot expertise through free company.
The Saints additionally entered the season with the league’s fourth-oldest roster (h/t Philly Voice), requiring an infusion of youth. New Orleans wants low cost, inexperienced, reasonably priced gamers, making the draft one of the best place for it to alter its fortune.
It started stockpiling picks by buying and selling cornerback Marshon Lattimore to the Commanders, and it might increase its variety of draft picks by making extra veterans obtainable through commerce.
Defensive finish Carl Granderson, linebacker Demario Davis and tight finish Foster Moreau are among the many Saints gamers below contract in 2025 who could possibly be precious to sure groups for later-round draft picks.
The Saints’ greatest commerce chip is arguably vast receiver Chris Olave. He is proved he generally is a WR1 in his first three seasons and could be an asset to a contender.
3. Clear the deck for 2026 (and past)
New Orleans ought to keep away from long-term commitments for the subsequent couple of seasons. After being up towards the salary-cap wall for seasons, the Saints should chorus from tying cash up into seasons previous 2025.
New Orleans could possibly be one of many league’s worst groups subsequent season, giving it stable odds of incomes 2026’s No. 1 general choose. If New Orleans hits on its picks, it might add to a immediately younger core in free company in 2027 and past.
A multiyear rebuild is not anybody’s concept of enjoyable, however the Saints should ask themselves how a lot they’ve loved the previous 4 postseason-less years. The more severe the Saints are within the quick time period, the faster the nice occasions will roll once more.
