With a 47–10 win against the Carolina Panthers and a 44–19 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, the New Orleans Saints were the surprise team of the NFL two weeks into the 2024 season. Then they came unglued like Louisiana asphalt in the heat. Injuries devastated the roster and Head Coach Dennis Allen was fired, reluctantly, midseason. The team would win only three more games and finish 5-12.
That led to what has been, arguably, the most consequential offseason and preseason in the team’s history as they prepare for their 59th NFL campaign.
In February, the Saints hired 37-year-old Kellen Moore as the team’s 19th head coach. Moore played quarterback in the NFL, mostly as a backup, from 2012 to 2017 before serving as offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Chargers, and Philadelphia Eagles, where he was part of the Super Bowl LIX winning squad that beat the Kansas City Chiefs 40–22. He hired Doug Nussmeier (former Saint QB and father of LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier) as offensive coordinator and Brandon Staley as defensive coordinator.
In the draft, the Saints brain trust focused on positions of need, selecting offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., with the ninth overall pick, QB Tyler Shough in the second round, defensive tackle Vernon Broughton and safety Jonas Sanker in the third, and linebacker Danny Stutsman and cornerback Quincy Riley in the fourth. The hope is Banks will become an indomitable member of the offensive line for the next decade — but all eyes are on Shough, who became the Saints’ highest drafted QB since Archie Manning in 1971 and was thrust into competition with Spencer Rattler for the starting quarterback position after Derek Carr announced his retirement in May due to significant degenerative injuries to his throwing shoulder.
Since Sean Payton left the team after the 2021 season, the Saints have struggled to establish their identity — think defensive stalwarts under Jim Mora or offensive juggernauts under Payton. They have established players and are in a relatively weak division where they have been capable of competing, but injuries and lack of depth have taken their toll on the team’s ability to succeed and have left fans wanting more.
It seems the NFL and sports books, who are looking to maximize advertising and betting returns on investment, have taken note of the team’s slide. For the first time in 25 years the Saints are not scheduled for a Thursday, Sunday or Monday night primetime game televised nationwide. Before the start of training camp, the sports book DraftKings listed the Saints as a favorite in only one of their 17 games, -1.5 points against the New York Jets on Dec. 21. Meanwhile, BetMGM has set the Saints’ season win total at 6.5, even though they have the NFL’s third-easiest schedule. This points to another disappointing season and continued rebuilding in the future.
However, the NFL is a wily beast where teams can rise out of nowhere, and the Saints could turn things around immediately like they did in 2006. There are some signs of hope, but keeping this team’s starters healthy is of utmost importance as roster depth and talent drop off is, again, a major concern.
Chris Price is an award-winning journalist and public relations principal. When he’s not writing, he’s avid about music, the outdoors, and Saints, Ole Miss and Chelsea football.
