Saints must prove skeptics wrong after experts harshly criticize the team’s offseason

The New Orleans Saints had one of the dullest offseasons in the NFL this year. However, not every team needs to have an explosive offseason to build a contending roster. If you ask the Saints, they’ll probably argue that they made strategic and necessary moves to be better in 2024. However, the majority of analysts would disagree with that sentiment.

Seth Walder certainly disagreed in a recent ESPN piece, grading the offseason for all 32 NFL teams. New Orleans didn’t fail the offseason, but it came pretty close with Walder grading the franchise’s offseason a letter D.

ESPN says Saints are addicted to mediocrity

In addition to a grade, Walder named the team’s biggest move, a move he liked, and a move he disliked. For the Saints, the biggest move was the selection of Taliese Fuaga, the move Walder liked was the signing of Chase Young, and the move Walder disliked was New Orleans not trading its veterans. Failing to trade the veterans summed up Walder’s biggest problem with the franchise; he argues the team is addicted to mediocrity.

"The Saints are addicted to mediocrity. And because of that, they failed to improve their future selves this offseason."

- Seth Walder (ESPN)

Walder went on to talk about the team’s poor cap situation, explaining how they have a ton of money tied up in older veterans. Since New Orleans isn’t in a championship window, Walder argues they should be shedding salary and acquiring draft picks. Instead, the Saints are reloading for what will likely be another year hovering around a .500 record.

It’s hard to disagree with anything that Walder is saying. New Orleans has certainly been delaying an inevitable rebuild, and no one would’ve faulted the Saints if they started the rebuild this offseason. It seems like the Saints are going to give it one more go, and if 2024 is just another mediocre year, they’ll finally face the music.

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