The Saints (5-10) hit all-time low in Week 16’s 34-0 loss to the Packers (11-4).
There are no 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 below are three issues New Orleans ought to do to carry itself out of the NFL’s decrease class.
1. Restructure entrance workplace
As New Orleans begins its rebuild, proprietor Gayle Benson ought to think about beginning on the prime.
Normal supervisor Mickey Loomis has been in his publish 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 liable for the Saints’ present quagmire. Plus, with New Orleans needing a head coach, it is likely to be higher to begin over at basic supervisor, too, so the positions are aligned.
The NFL front-office pipeline is crammed with 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 government.
Assistant basic supervisor Mike Borgonzi, who has been with the Chiefs for 16 seasons, can be a prime contender for a promotion.
Bucs assistant basic supervisor John Spytek can be one other intriguing choice after serving to construct Tampa Bay right into a three-time (and counting) NFC South champion.
Different NFL entrance workplaces can have different deserving candidates, giving New Orleans a number of choices to reassemble its energy construction.
2. Add 2025 NFL Draft capital
Enable us to summarize New Orleans’ early 2025 NFL Draft positional wants:
New Orleans wants as a lot assist as potential, however given its troublesome salary-cap place, it will not be capable of 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, inexpensive gamers, making the draft the perfect place for it to vary 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 out there 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 beneficial to sure groups for later-round draft picks.
The Saints’ largest commerce chip is arguably extensive receiver Chris Olave. He is proved he is usually a WR1 in his first three seasons and can 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 following couple of seasons. After being up in opposition to 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 total decide. 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 serious the Saints are within the quick time period, the faster the great instances will roll once more.
