Saints Face a Bleak 2025: A Season of Transition and Uncertainty

The New Orleans Saints’ long-standing strategy of navigating salary cap constraints to maintain competitiveness within the NFC South appears to have finally reached its breaking point. After years of pushing financial burdens into the future, the 2024 season served as a stark reminder that this approach was unsustainable, culminating in a dismal campaign and ushering in a period of significant change and uncertainty for the franchise.

The 2024 season began with a glimmer of hope as the Saints’ offense showed promise in the first two games. However, the initial optimism quickly dissipated as the team embarked on a disastrous seven-game losing streak. This slump ultimately led to the firing of head coach Dennis Allen following a Week 9 defeat at the hands of the Carolina Panthers. Darren Rizzi stepped in as interim head coach, guiding the team through the remainder of the season, but the Saints ultimately finished with a disappointing 5-12 record, marking their worst performance since the 2005 season.

Given the team’s poor performance and the mounting salary cap issues, many anticipated a complete rebuild and a financial reset. However, general manager Mickey Loomis defied expectations by continuing to add veteran players to the roster, seemingly in an attempt to remain competitive in the upcoming 2025 season. This decision raised eyebrows among analysts and fans alike, as it appeared to be a continuation of the same short-sighted strategy that had led to the team’s downfall in the first place.

The Saints’ plans for the 2025 season were further disrupted when veteran quarterback Derek Carr unexpectedly announced his retirement after discovering a significant shoulder injury during an offseason workout. Carr’s decision left the Saints scrambling for a replacement, throwing their quarterback situation into disarray just weeks after the NFL Draft.

With Carr’s sudden departure, the Saints are now forced to rely on second-round rookie Tyler Shough to lead their offense. Shough, who brings seven years of college experience to the table, is expected to step into the starting role immediately. While his extensive collegiate career may help ease his transition to the professional level, the question remains: can Shough truly elevate the Saints and keep them competitive?

USA TODAY Sports has released its record prediction for the Saints’ 2025 season, forecasting a dismal 4-13 record. This prediction reflects the significant challenges facing the team, including a lack of proven quarterback leadership, a potentially weak supporting cast, and questions surrounding their defensive capabilities.

The article states that it will be difficult for the Saints to improve upon their 5-12 record from last season. The team is essentially undergoing an "on-the-fly rebuild" while simultaneously trying to remain competitive, a precarious balancing act that rarely yields positive results.

Shough’s experience is highlighted as a potential asset, with the article noting that his seven years in college could make his transition smoother than that of other rookies. However, the lack of a strong supporting cast around him is a major concern. Chris Olave, the team’s top receiver, played in just eight games last season due to injuries, raising questions about his durability and reliability. Alvin Kamara, the veteran running back, is entering his age-30 season and has seen his production decline in recent years, averaging only 3.9 yards per carry over his last four seasons. If Olave and Kamara fail to perform at a high level, the Saints’ offense could struggle to consistently score points.

The defense is another area of concern. The unit ranked 24th in defensive EPA last season and has not undergone significant improvements, with the addition of former Chiefs safety Justin Reid being the most notable acquisition. A weak defense, coupled with an inexperienced quarterback and a struggling offense, could spell disaster for the Saints.

Despite these challenges, the Saints do have one potential advantage: a relatively easy schedule. According to Sharp Football Analysis, they have the third-easiest projected schedule in the league. This could allow them to secure a few extra wins against weaker opponents. However, a favorable schedule alone is unlikely to be enough to overcome the team’s fundamental flaws.

The article concludes by stating that it’s difficult to be optimistic about the Saints’ prospects for the 2025 season. The team may "bottom out" this year before embarking on a full-scale roster reboot in 2026. This prediction suggests that the Saints are headed for a period of significant struggle and that fans should brace themselves for a potentially long and difficult season. The Loomis plan to reload and stay competitive appears to be hinging on a seven-year college vet to perform above his draft status.