New Orleans Saints: There’s seemingly no confidence in this offense

What a difference an offseason and a Drew Brees retirement make. The New Orleans Saints, heading into 2020, were one of the most dangerous offenses, a force to be reckoned with, and a Super Bowl contender. You literally had to score 24 points or more to keep up with these guys more often than not.

Then, the rival Buccaneers went and had to go sign Tom Brady and surround him with one of the deepest rosters from top to bottom that any of us have seen over the past ten professional football seasons. Since then, Michael Thomas evolved into a more sensitive than necessary wideout, and a mini-quarterback controversy has ensued. That’s probably an oversimplification of the facts which are probably disconnected and out of order. You get the idea though.

The Saints approach the 2021 regular season with more questions surrounding them than normal, and then, there’s this. For the first time in a very long time, it’s the offensive side of the ball that has people worried. When was the last time that’s happened?

There’s seemingly no confidence in this New Orleans Saints offense.

Here’s something to toss around when you’re hanging out with your friends. NFL.com’s Marc Sessler recently shared his theory on ten underdogs for football fans to pay attention to during the second week of the National Football League’s preseason. Would you believe the Saints’ offense cracked the list at number four?

Here’s some of what Sessler said in his explanation of his theory.

"It’s stylish to explain away preseason gaffes as meaningless summertime fare, but Sean Payton wasn’t thrilled to see each of his quarterbacks, Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill , and Ian Book, toss picks while a trio of Saints runners lost fumbles against the Ravens. Encouraging play from wideouts Marquez Callaway and Lil’Jordan Humphrey is helpful, but you don’t have to squint to see a New Orleans attack in total transition. The Michael Thomas drama has turned Chris Hogan into a potentially key figure, not a promising scenario in 2021. Their Monday night tilt with the Jaguars is begging for one of these quarterbacks to stand out inside an offense that will need to get next-level creative to score points come September."

Geesh. You’d think this team had lost a future Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee or something. No, wait. They did and upon a second review of Sessler’s statement, this offensive unit may indeed be troubled.

Jameis Winston has had his issues with throwing the ball to the guys in the wrong-colored jerseys. This team has nothing at wide receiver if they don’t figure this Michael Thomas thing out. We still don’t really know what Taysom Hill does for real. Wait. This is turning into a gloom and doom message, and no one wants to hear that.

Let’s end this on a positive note. Alvin Kamara is still on this team. Sean Payton is still this team’s head coach and one of the greatest offensive minds in football, and the NFC South, outside of the Bucs is a dumpster fire.

Don’t give up hope yet. The New Orleans Saints are the owners of one of the best home-field advantages in all of football, and the offensive line is still one of the game’s best. Everyone relax. This will work out. You’ll see. Expect this Saints offense to do some nice things in 2021.