Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
It has been an eventful couple of seasons for the New Orleans Saints and their fans. But in particular, the last calendar year has been quite the roller coaster.
To acknowledge all that the team and their die-hards have navigated since a monumental Week 9 in 2024, here is a quick synopsis of the last 12 months, ending with the poetic symmetry of Tyler Shough’s first start which is on the horizon this weekend.
Nov. 3, 2024 – Week 9 at Carolina Panthers
Former Saints head coach Dennis Allen coached his last game for the team almost a year ago. After the embarrassing 23-22 loss, Allen gave his most dejected and solemn post-game presser. He was then fired the next morning. This was considered a “new era” moment, but several new eras would arrive over the next 12 months.
Dec. 8, 2024 – Week 14 at New York Giants
Under the interim leadership of Darren Rizzi, the Saints won a thriller in New Jersey, miles away from the coach’s hometown. The performance would be overshadowed however by what would become a season-ending injury for former starting quarterback Derek Carr. This injury set into motion a full offseason of roller coaster drama between the Saints and Carr.
Feb. 11, 2025 – Post-Super Bowl
The Saints hired the next head coach and the newest new era begins. Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who had just won a Super Bowl in New Orleans, was named the 19th head coach in Saints’ history. Moore would give his introductory press conference two days later.
April 25, 2025 – NFL Draft Day 2
After months of “will they, won’t they” at quarterback, the Saints drafted Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft at pick No. 40 overall. This move kicked off the final stretch of the team’s Carr conundrum.
May 10, 2025 – Rookie Minicamp
As the Saints prepared to take the field for their first day of rookie minicamp, Carr announced his surprising retirement. After months of subliminal shots, absence and presumed negations through media, Carr left the game and $30 million guaranteed due to his ongoing shoulder injury. Another new era moment kicks into high gear as the Saints were forced to consider changing their competitive angle for the upcoming season in favor of rebuilding the team and addressing their cap issues. Carr’s retirement actually helped the team quite a bit for the latter goal.
July 22, 2025 – Training Camp Begins
Veteran safety Tyrann Mathieu announced his surprise retirement. This move may have completely changed the Saints’ approach to the 2025 season, fully launching them into a development year. This date also marked the beginning of the quarterback battle between second-year passer Spencer Rattler and rookie Shough.
Aug. 26, 2025 – Days After Final Preseason Game
Rattler was announced the starting quarterback. Moore gave each passer through all of training camp and the entire preseason to compete, naming Rattler the starter ahead of the bonus week.
Oct. 26, 2025 – Week 8 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Exactly two months to the day after being named the starter, Rattler was sat in the third quarter of the game against the Buccaneers, and Shough was given his first extended NFL action at quarterback.
Oct. 28, 2025 – One Day Before Week 9 Practices
Shough was named the starting quarterback for the Week 9 road game against the Los Angeles Rams. Moore said that he wanted to make sure that the decision was made in time for the week’s starter to take full advantage of the practice reps that week.
Nov. 2, 2025 – Week 9 at Los Angeles Rams
Shough will take his first snaps as a starting NFL quarterback, nearly exactly one year after Allen coached his last game with the team. It’s poetic, the way the calendar aligned with the immense amount of change the organization has experienced. But the challenges ahead remain steep. As Shough takes the field as an NFL starter for the first time, yet another new era begins.
Take a breath, Saints fans. It’s been a whirlwind of a year.
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