JACKSON: Saints hit new low in 1-8 start

By Ross Jackson

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – At a time in which it feels like the entire Louisiana sports scene is failing its fans, the biggest ticket in town isn’t showing much promise underneath its struggles. The New Orleans Saints are a rebuilding team, yes. But its disappointing performances continue to mount as support and patience wane thin. The most frustrating part of it all for everyone involved? It doesn’t look like there’s an end in sight for the 2025 season.

Saints coaches and players have touted being “close” in many conversations with local media. The display the team showed in its 34-10 loss against the Los Angeles Rams was evidence of the contrary.

The Saints are not close. The Saints do not look like they will be building a contender on their current trajectory. Major changes are likely needed before either of those two statements can be considered true.

The team believes it has the right coach, but has not shown enough on the field to stave away doubts. Furthermore, there is a prevailing belief that some sizable roster changes could be on the way in the upcoming offseason. Unfortunately for the Saints and their fans, that means it’s not likely that improvements, changes and actionable steps will be made or can be taken until after the dismal 2025 season draws to a merciful end.

“We’ve obviously got to play better,” head coach Kellen Moore said during his postgame availability. “A lot of this comes down to the details and the fundamentals of the football game. Sometimes it’s a simple game and we’ve got to play better and give ourselves more opportunities.”

Until then, the team will remain in this state of underperformance unless something surprising takes place. But the chips may be stacked up against them for such an in-season turnaround. Especially after such an exposing performance in Los Angeles. 

New Orleans possessed the ball for just 16:07 in Sunday’s brutal loss as they fell to 1-8 on the season, their worst start since 1980. 

Yes, the Rams are among the NFL’s best teams. However, New Orleans has failed to show up against bad teams, good teams and great teams throughout the season.

While the club looks to trust its process, a key for any team weather a storm such as this, it’s fair to wonder if the process is the right one. Slow starts have plagued the offense with little to no progress. The team’s run defense is inconsistent at best. Its rushing offense has failed to gain 100 yards as a team in five consecutive games and the team just struggled so much that a mid-season quarterback change can’t be its center storyline.

Throughout the first nine games of the 2025 season, the Saints appear to be their own worst enemy.

Veteran safety Justin Reid has been a unifying voice throughout the struggles, pointing out the team’s approach behind the scenes as a constructive and dedicated environment. 

“We’re looking for problem solvers, not guys just pointing fingers on where problems are,” he said after the game. “Continuing to have that type of mentality, that type of leadership, calling on some of the other leaders on the team to continue to press that forward. That’s what’s going to be what gets us through this. And that’s what’s going to be what sets the foundation for a strong culture and for a strong team down the road as we get this fixed and get this turned around and get it all put together.”

Whether or not that approach will yield eventual results will have to be seen at a later time. But until then, leaders like Reid are exactly what this team needs right now. Its struggles cannot be understated and should not be written off simply because of the team’s position in its life cycle.

New Orleans is reaching lows not grazed for some time in its history.

The Saints are currently showcasing more concerning signs than those of promise and optimism. That’s not where the team wanted to be nine games into the Kellen Moore era.