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.
Stability has been a hallmark for the New Orleans Saints in 16 years under General Manager Mickey Loomis and Head Coach Sean Payton, but 2021 was a year marked by “chaos,” according to Trevor Siemian, one of 57 players, including four quarterbacks, to start a game during the 17-game regular season.
The Black & Gold managed to secure their fifth-straight winning season — the longest in franchise history — finishing 9-8 but failed to qualify for the playoffs. There were highs, including beating NFC No. 1 seed Green Bay 38-3 and sweeping NFC South Champion Tampa Bay, but there were also extreme lows — losing to the Panthers 26-7, the Giants 27-21, and the Dolphins 20-3 and, of course, just missing the playoffs.
2021 in Review
The year started with the expected retirement of the best player in franchise history, QB Drew Brees, and the need to cut $101 million in pay to get under the NFL-mandated $182.5 million salary cap, which was reduced from $198.2 million in 2020. While the team was able to hold onto many of its starters, many talented back-ups had to go which reduced quality depth across the roster. The season-long losses of top receiver Michael Thomas and kicker Wil Lutz impacted scoring production.
Just before the kickoff of the regular season Hurricane Ida slammed south Louisiana, forcing the team to relocate to Dallas for several weeks and push their home opener against the Packers to Jacksonville, Fla. After competing with Taysom Hill during the preseason, starting QB Jameis Winston became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw five touchdown passes with no interceptions against the Pack.
COVID-19 first reared its head in Week 2, when eight coaches and eight players – including defensive linemen Marcus Davenport, Tanoh Kpassagnon, David Onyemata; linebackers Kwon Alexander, Pete Werner, Chase Hansen; and defensive backs Marshon Lattimore and C.J. Gardner-Johnson weren’t able to participate after contracting the virus.
Still, the team started 5-2 and looked poised to be one of the league’s better teams. That all changed when starting QB Jameis Winston suffered a torn ACL and damaged MCL in his left knee against Tampa in Week 8. While Siemian was able to secure the win in relief, he didn’t have the same success after he was surprisingly named the starter, going 0-4. Hill replaced Siemian under center in Week 13 losing to the Cowboys to run the losing streak to five games, but the team closed the season 4-1. The only loss during the last five games came against the Dolphins, when 22 players were out because of Covid-19. Rookie Ian Book started his first NFL game at QB – the Saints’ fourth starting quarterback of the season when Hill and Siemian contracted the virus.
As the Saints’ finale against the Falcons ended, it looked as if New Orleans was headed to the playoffs. They just needed the Rams to beat the 49ers, but despite a 17-0 lead in the first half, L.A. blew it. San Fran made the postseason and NOLA didn’t.
The Saints finished the 2021 season ranked No. 28 in total offense (304.5 yards/game) and No. 19 in points per game (21.4) and No. 7 in total defense (318.2 yards/game) and No. 4 in points/game (19.7).
2022 Offseason
The Saints’ offense-first mindset under Payton changed in 2021 with the defense carrying the team last year. Expect the same mentality in 2022. The team will, likely, look to secure their top-level starters once again and look to plug in depth in free agency and the draft. It won’t be any easy feat. Entering the offseason, the Saints are $63.1 million over the expected
$208.2 million salary cap for the 2002 season, with more than $12.4 million in dead money on their books.
Outside of punter, there’s not a position on the team that has potential question marks and could use a boost in talent.
In seven games, Winston went 5-2, had 14 TDs and only three interceptions. The free agent’s knee should be ready to go by September, and it seems he should be re-signed and given another opportunity to prove himself. Hill, who suffered a Lisfranc injury to his left foot in the finale and is expected to require multiple surgeries to repair it, may be out for the majority of the season. With the signing of Blake Bortles, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, and Book entering his second year, Siemian’s time with the team is likely done.
After production was a major issue in 2021, wide receiver is an area of great concern. Tre’Quan Smith, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Kenny Stills, and Deonte Harty (who changed his last name from Harris) are all free agents. Additionally, Thomas’ situation has to be determined. It wouldn’t be surprising to hear his name in trade rumors.
Expect a lot of focus on the offensive line, who played less than 30 combined snaps together the entirety of the 2021 season. LT Terron Armstead is a free agent. While still an enormous contributor, he will demand a large salary and father time may be catching up with him. Re-establishing depth up front will be a priority.
