When the New Orleans Saints hired “Bum” Phillips as head coach and general manager in 1981, a bumper sticker became ubiquitous across the Crescent City. The black sticker featured a likeness of the new head coach with the tagline “Faith, Hope, & Bum.” Of course, the 1980 Saints went 1-15, so there was almost nowhere to go but up from there. In fewer than five whole seasons, the best Bum could do was an 8-8 season in ’83. The team didn’t make the playoffs until 1987, didn’t win a playoff game until 2000, and didn’t achieve Super Bowl success in 2009. The team was competitive through the 2020 season, but it’s been mediocrity since then — hovering around .500 with no postseason appearances.
Although the Saints posted a 9-8 record and finished second in the NFC South last season — a feat those fans in the ’80s and ’90s would have taken in a heartbeat — it was a letdown. To put it simply, the defense was the team’s strength, and the offense was often offensive.
Immediately after the season ended, Head Coach Dennis Allen cleared house in the coaches’ office and hired offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko, running backs coach Derrick Foster, offensive line coach John Benton, senior offensive assistant Rick Dennison, wide receivers coach Keith Williams, and assistant wide receivers coach DeNarius McGhee. But those hires haven’t yet made an impact. The biggest offseason free-agent signing was former San Francisco 49ers defensive end Chase Young, who agreed to a one-year, fully guaranteed $13 million deal. The Saints’ draft was highlighted by tackle Taliese Fuaga (first round, 14th overall pick), cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry (second round, 41st overall), and quarterback Spencer Rattler (fifth, 150th).
Fuaga looks like he’s ready to be a starter on day one, but the lack of additional talent coming to the roster has made it a long offseason in New Orleans. The Saints haven’t played since early January, and despite a few days of action during the NFL Draft in April and minicamp in June, excitement for the kickoff of the 2024 season should be building by the minute. Instead, Saints fans — and more noticeably the national media — seem to be taking, at best, a wait-and-see approach to the Black & Gold’s coming campaign. At worst, some are calling for the team to take the coming season as a loss and look ahead to 2025 and beyond.
In the drought of streaks and sweeps on the gridiron, keystrokes and commentary — mostly speculative — fill the void. From those who have given up on this coming season already to those who say the team needs a “miracle” to be a Super Bowl competitor — none of it has been good for the Saints. Here’s the gist of some of the content created this summer:
- USA Today — Dennis Allen should be on the hot seat going into 2024;
- Bleacher Report — Saints should tank for next year’s draft;
- ESPN — Saints’ skills positions among NFL’s worst group of playmakers;
- Bleacher Report — Saints’ QB room ranked 23 out of 32 teams;
- CBS Sports — Only two Saints among the Top 100 Players of 2024;
- Bleacher Report — New Orleans Saints messing up their rebuild;
- ESPN — Saints offensive line 27 out of 32;
- Pro Football Focus — Saints have the worst offensive line in the NFL;
- Bleacher Report — Saints to finish third in the NFC South with 7-10 record.
While Saints aren’t in their darkest days, they’re not exactly basking in the sunshine. In the NFC South, national media attention is focused on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are trying to win their fourth straight division crown; the Atlanta Falcons, who signed quarterback Kirk Cousins in the spring; and the pitiful Carolina Panthers, who are looking to rebound with 2023’s No. 1 overall draft pick Bryce Young. As much as new coaches can breathe new life into a team, they’re on the sidelines during games. Prognosticators are looking at this Saints’ roster and assuming the maxim that past is prologue, or as Bobby Hebert would ask, “What have you done for me lately?”
Experts didn’t expect anything from the Saints in the summer of 2006 when the team went to their first NFC Championship, nor did they in 2009 before New Orleans won the Super Bowl. No news can mean good news. The Saints, especially Allen, will feel pressure to win, but they won’t be in the glaring, white-hot spotlight. Maybe Kubiak’s new offense will click, the O-line will jell, and the defense can remain the solid foundation of the team.
Entering the season, New Orleans has the NFL’s weakest schedule in 2024. The other teams in the division are not exceptional. If the Saints can’t come together and make something of the season, big changes should be made.
This will likely be another season of faith and hope, that is until the team can give fans something solid on which to build their belief.
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.
