JACKSON: Player development is the only hope that remains for Saints’ 2025 season

By Ross Jackson

There was hope that the New Orleans Saints were on the right trajectory after the team’s Week 11 bye week. Coming off of an exhilarating win against the Carolina Panthers on the road, the team showed promise for improvement ahead of facing what was presumed to be a manageable final stretch of the season. 

However, that hope proved to be fool’s gold. 

Since then, New Orleans has lost both games coming out of the bye, hasn’t fired 20 points (something the team hasn’t done since Week 5) and hasn’t generated a single 20-plus yard play on offense. 

While questions loom around head coach Kellen Moore and his offense, important context is required. The team’s offense didn’t begin to take shape from a personnel perspective until late in the season. Moore didn’t turn the offense over to his handpicked quarterback, rookie Tyler Shough, until Week 9. 

However, until the team can alleviate its consistent issues, slow starts, red zone struggles and run game, even context won’t be able to generate belief. That’s why the team’s present has to be all about the building blocks for its future. 

The majority of the team’s Week 1 starting 11 in 2024 was still intact at the start of the 2025 season. But personnel changes began at the trade deadline with wide receiver Rashid Shaheed traded to the Seattle Seahawks, offensive lineman Trevor Penning traded to the Los Angeles Chargers. Soon after, the team also mutually agreed with wideout Brandin Cooks to part ways.

Those moves thrust newly added pieces like wide receiver Devaughn Vele and offensive lineman Dillon Radunz into starting roles while injuries elevated other young talents like rookie running back Devin Neal.

All of the disappointment of the 2025 season may truly come down to the team simply not being fully constructed in the head coach’s vision, especially on offense.

While the offensive side of the ball has been underwhelming, the defense under new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley continues to impress. In the team’s 21-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins, one offensive touchdown was allowed despite the team losing veteran starting safety early in the game to a knee injury.

The defense remains top-10 in passing yards allowed and ranks just outside of the top-20 in rushing yards surrendered with Monday Night Football left to be played in Week 13. That unit has seen much more turnover to go with the changes on the coaching staff, including an entire scheme change from an even to odd-front defense.

With more changes expected over the course of the 2026 offseason, the Saints’ focus on the final five games must be on player development. The win-loss record will be what it ends up,