The New Orleans Saints are in the middle of a rebuild—no sense sugarcoating it. Their new head coach, Deebo, put it bluntly when asked about the state of the team: “Overall, we suck. But we are young where it matters. Given time and proper development, we can compete in a year or two—for some championships.”
That mix of brutal honesty and quiet optimism sums up where this Saints franchise is right now: raw, flawed, but with flashes of real hope.
Leadership and the QB Dilemma
One of the biggest storylines in New Orleans revolves around the quarterback position. With two young signal-callers fighting for snaps, the question isn’t just who starts this week, but who can carry this franchise forward.
Coach Deebo leaned toward Shough: “Right now, I think Shough gives us the best chance to win. Mostly because he has a knack for selling fakes on play-action. If we can get the running game rolling, he’s the perfect QB to hit the pass downfield.”
It’s not a ringing endorsement of long-term greatness, but it’s a clear nod to the skillset that fits the Saints’ current offensive identity: ground-and-pound with an explosive play-action punch. Still, given where this team stands, you can’t ignore the whispers—quarterback is likely at the very top of the draft board come April.
The Next QB: Two Local Legends
If the Saints do take the plunge, two names dominate the conversation.
- Arch Manning, New Orleans native, grandson of franchise legend Archie Manning, would be a full-circle story that the city would rally behind instantly. It’s not often a player with that kind of pedigree and hometown connection is sitting there when you’re desperate for a face of the franchise.
- Garrett Nussmeier, the LSU product with a rocket arm, would also bring a Louisiana-rooted connection and a big-play skillset. He’s less about the narrative and more about raw firepower—but he could light up the Superdome if the Saints want to lean into their speed-heavy roster.
Neither choice is bad. Both could be transformative. It’s just a matter of whether the Saints want a “storybook” beginning or a “gunslinger” future.
Offense: Speed, Versatility, and a Hint of Chaos
Right now, the Saints’ offense lives in transition. Alvin Kamara, Cam Jordan, and Demario Davis—pillars of this roster for years—are all on contracts that might expire into retirement. Those looming exits are painful, but they also clear the cap sheet for a youth-driven reboot.
That’s where Velus Jones Jr. enters the picture. A wide receiver turned running back, he’s quickly becoming a fascinating weapon for this offense. His versatility adds unpredictability, and paired with Kendre Miller, the backfield looks surprisingly steady if Kamara departs.
At wide receiver, speed is the identity. Get behind the defense and it’s six. With the right quarterback to actually hit those vertical shots, this unit could transform from streaky to lethal in one offseason.
Defense: Youth Movement in Full Swing
If the offense is a mix of “what’s next?” and “what’s fading out,” the defense is already planting seeds of the future.
- Danny Stutsman, the rookie linebacker, is quickly becoming the kind of player coaches build schemes around. Relentless motor, instincts beyond his years, and leadership traits that don’t usually show up in Year 1.
- Kool-Aid McKinstry, the rookie corner, is adding swag and coverage ability that this defense desperately needs. It’s one thing to be fast; it’s another to line up against elite wideouts and not blink. He looks like the kind of corner who could erase mistakes everywhere else.
Yes, this defense is still prone to breakdowns, but the young pieces are already making names for themselves. With the old guard aging out, the next generation has begun to emerge.
Rivalries and the Road Ahead
When asked about the games that matter most, Coach Deebo didn’t hesitate: “WE GET EXCITED TO PLAY THE FALCONS! It’s a deep rivalry and we love seeing their coach with steam coming out of his ears!”
That’s the kind of fire fans cling to in a rebuild. Rivalries give context to growing pains—beating the Falcons once this year could feel as good as a playoff win in the long run.
Big Picture
This Saints roster is a paradox. On one hand, they’re labeled the “worst team in the game.” On the other, they’re exactly the kind of young, underdog team you’d want to bet on in two years’ time.
The contracts of veterans like Kamara, Cam Jordan, and Demario Davis are winding down. That’s painful, yes, but it also removes financial handcuffs. The youth movement—Stutsman, McKinstry, Velus Jones Jr., Kendre Miller—gives this team a core. Add in a potential franchise quarterback like Arch Manning or Nussmeier, and suddenly the “worst team” tag doesn’t fit anymore.
Coach Deebo summed it up best: they don’t look like much right now, but they’re “young where it matters.” And in the NFL, that’s everything.
