Through the first five weeks of the season, New Orleans sits at 1-4. Owner Gayle Benson publicly labeled the team’s performance as disappointing and held head coach Kellen Moore and general manager Mickey Loomis accountable. Former Saints quarterback Drew Brees joined the conversation, echoing Benson’s blunt assessment during the team’s game against the New York Giants.
Brees, a defining figure in Saints history for guiding the club to a Super Bowl XLIV championship, emphasized that the fans’ concerns were clear and that the level of performance was unacceptable. He noted that there are high expectations on both sides of the ball and that the organization recognizes the need to improve.
New Orleans opened the season with a heartbreaking 31-30 overtime loss to the Detroit Lions. The Saints rallied in Week 2 with a 24-17 victory over the Baltimore Ravens but then dropped three straight games: 35-27 to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3, 45-24 to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4, and 23-13 to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5.
Owner Benson addressed the slow start, saying there would be no excuses and that decisive actions would be taken to improve the team. She stressed the urgency for better preparation, consistency, and execution, and she underscored that words alone would not restore fans’ confidence.
The Week 4 loss to the Falcons carried particular weight, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Superdome’s reopening after Hurricane Katrina. The Falcons defeated the Saints by a substantial margin, with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (efficient in completing 15 of 20 passes for 223 yards and a touchdown), running back Bijan Robinson (145 rushing yards on 19 carries), and wide receiver Drake London contributing significant playmakers for Atlanta. Benson highlighted the loss while reflecting on the broader connection between the team and the community, noting how memories of the city’s homecoming reinforce the deep ties between the franchise and its fans.
Statistically, the team’s offense ranked 16th in the league through five weeks, averaging 23.6 points per game, while the defense ranked 31st, allowing 30.2 points per game. Benson explicitly called on Moore and the coaching staff to prepare players for better performance, and she assigned responsibility to Loomis and the football staff for building a roster capable of sustained success. She also placed responsibility on the players for their preparation and execution and stated her own accountability for the organization’s overall performance.
Moore, in his second year as head coach after previously serving as the Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive coordinator, finished his first Saints season at 6-11. With a 1-4 start in 2026, his overall record sits at 7-15. In response to Benson’s remarks, Moore emphasized that the team is focused on improving together, noting the presence of capable players who are working to find a winning formula. He highlighted the realities of the NFL—ups and downs—and stressed the importance of better execution and coaching as the team moves forward.
As the Saints prepare to face the Giants on the road, the pressure mounts to deliver improved performances and to demonstrate to the owner and the franchise’s history of excellence that the organization can return to its playoff-caliber standard.
