Now that the 2024-25 NFL Season has come to an end for the New Orleans Saints, there's a lot of questions that need answered in New Orleans. After finishing 5-12, and last in the NFC South, the Saints need to start thinking about the future immediately.
They haven’t made the playoffs in four years, and they are quickly slipping into irrelevancy. This can’t be the standard for a team that was a perennial contender not long ago. For New Orleans to get back to that status, it must answer some tough questions this offseason. Here’s a look at the three most important questions.
Is Darren Rizzi the Head Coach of the future in New Orleans?
When Darren Rizzi was first hired as head coach, it was no surprise he brought a wealth of experience and an undeniable passion for the game. A revered Special Teams Coordinator with a track record of success, Rizzi was a name that resonated with players. After a 2-0 start as interim head coach, the honeymoon phase wore off, losing five of the last six games of the season. Leaving the question lingering: is Rizzi just a Special Teams guru?
Still, the road ahead is unforgiving. For Rizzi, the challenge isn’t about proving he belongs— that's already been proven. It’s proving he can thrive in such a big role. If he can marry his passion and expertise with the broader demands of head coaching, the team may have found their leader for years to come.
Aaron Glenn’s name has quickly emerged as a strong candidate for the New Orleans Saints’ head coaching vacancy, and it’s easy to see why. The current Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator has built a reputation as one of the league’s brightest defensive minds, transforming Detroit’s defense into a dominant unit since 2021. Glenn’s ties to New Orleans only strengthen his candidacy, playing his final NFL season with the Saints in 2008 and later coaching their defensive backs from 2016 to 2020.
While the Saints’ job may not be the most intriguing for first-time head coaches, Glenn’s familiarity and relationship with the organization and the city could be the edge New Orleans needs to land a coach of his caliber. With some luck and nostalgia on their side, the Saints might just secure a leader capable of revitalizing their franchise.
Do the Saints need to trade up in the draft?
The Saints find themselves in a weird place heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, with the ninth-overall pick—their highest in a decade but far from the top slots where quarterbacks Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders are expected to be taken. With the Saints needing a quarterback, they’re not positioned well to select one. With quarterback uncertainty lingering over the franchise, New Orleans must decide if Spencer Rattler has shown enough to be given a full-season as starter or if Derek Carr deserves one last chance to lead the offense.
Trading up for one of the elite QBs would require a massive trade package, potentially the future for a franchise-altering talent. Alternatively, the Saints could stay put and target another premier prospect, such as defensive standouts Will Johnson, Mason Graham, Abdul Carter or offensive weapon Tetairoa McMillan, to solidify another area of need. It’s a high-stakes decision that will define the next era of Saints football.
How will free agency and roster rebuilding be addressed in the offseason?
The Saints offseason is quickly approaching, with 21 players set to hit free agency, including key talents like Paulson Adebo and Chase Young. Already navigating salary cap challenges, New Orleans must find a balance between retaining key contributors and finding cost-effective options in the free-agent market. With a roster in need of both stability and fresh talent, this offseason will test the Saints' ability to rebuild while staying within their finances.
To address their cap woes, New Orleans will likely explore restructuring veteran contracts and potentially going away from high-priced players to free up space. In free agency, expect the Saints to target affordable yet impactful signings, focusing on players with upside who can thrive in their system. The draft will also play a critical role in retooling the roster, with an emphasis on finding immediate contributors at positions of need.