NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
2024 Record - 5-12 -0
Head Coach - Kellen Moore
2024 Offensive Rank - (21st overall) - 320 YPG; Passing - 205 YPG (23rd), Rushing - 115 YPG (14th); SCORING - 19.9 PPG (24th)
2024 Defensive Rank - (30th overall) - 380 YPG; Passing - 239 YPG (27th), Rushing - 141 YPG (31st); SCORING - 23.4 PPG (19th)
Key Additions for 2025 - Justin Reid (DB), Tyler Shough (rookie - Louisville), Davon Godchaux (DL), Brandin Cooks (WR), Dillon Radunz (OL)
Key Losses for 2025 - Derek Carr (QB), Tyrann Mathieu (DB), Willie Gay, Jr. (LB), Will Harris (DB), Lucas Patrick (OL), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR), Jamaal Williams (RB)
OFFENSE - The Saints saw former starting quarterback Derek Carr retire and now they have both Spencer Rattler and rookie Tyler Shough (Louisville) in camp, looking to become the starting quarterback. Jake Haener and even Taysom Hill (tight end) could also play the position at some point this season. Alvin Kamara is the top running back and in 2024 he rushed for 950 yards (4.2 YPC) and scored six touchdowns along with 68 receptions for 543 yards and two touchdowns. Others in the backfield could be Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Velus Jones, Jr. and rookie Devin Neal (Kansas). Tight end/QB Taysom Hill rushed for 278 yards last season (7.1 YPC) and scored six touchdowns. The wide receivers include Rashid Shaheed and Chris Olave (both coming off injury filled 2024 season), Brandin Cooks (26 receptions for 259 yards and three TD with Dallas), rookie Mason Tipton (Yale) and veteran Cedrick Wilson, Jr., who was with the Miami Dolphins last season. The tight ends are (Taysom) Hill, Juwan Johnson (50, 548, three TD) and Foster Moreau, who had 32 receptions for 413 yards and five touchdowns.
DEFENSE - Defensive ends Cameron Jordan and Bryan Bresee (7 1/2 QB sacks) and nose tackle Davon Godchaux lead the front line while the linebackers are Demario Davis (team high 136 tackles), Carl Granderson (5 1/2 sacks), Pete Werner (92 tackles) and sixth year veteran Chase Young, who had 5 1/2 sacks. The secondary lost Tyrann Mathieu (retirement) and Paulson Adebo (free agency) and will now feature Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alonte Taylor (89 tackles) and perhaps Rico Payton or rookie Quincy Riley (Lousiville) at the corners. The safeties are Justin Reid (85 tackles with Kansas City) and either Terrell Burgess, Ugo Amadi, J.T. Gray and rookie Jonas Sanker (Virginia). The New Orleans defense had 39 sacks last year and picked off 14 passes.
OUTLOOK - New Head Coach Kellen Moore comes into the season still working on who will be the Saints starting quarterback. The team has a lot of work ahead of them this season on both sides of the ball and it could be a long season. Playing in the NFC South, the Saints were 2-4 in division play last year, splitting games with Atlanta and Carolina, both of whom look to be much improved this season.
Whoever winds up playing quarterback will have some weapons with veteran RB Alvin Kamara and hopefully both (wide receivers) Shaheed and Olave back in form for the 2025 season. The defense needs work (the Saints ranked near the bottom of the league against both the run and pass) but did show some red zone strength a year ago, finishing 19th in points allowed. This will definitely be a rebuilding year in The Big Easy, so winning five games again would be a positive thing. Anything more than that should be considered as progress as the Saints look toward better days in the future.
2025 SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Arizona
Week Two - vs. San Francisco
Week Three - at Seattle
Week Four - at Buffalo
Week Five - vs. N.Y. Giants
Week Six - vs. New England
Week Seven - at Chicago
Week Eight - vs. Tampa Bay
Week Nine - at L.A. Rams
Week Ten - at Carolina
Week Eleven - BYE
Week Twelve - vs. Atlanta
Week Thirteen - at Miami
Week Fourteen - at Tampa Bay
Week Fifteen - vs. Carolina
Week Sixteen - vs. N.Y. Jets
Week Seventeen - at Tennessee
Week Eighteen - at Atlanta
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