A case for separating business and football leadership, replacing the GM’s authority and giving the next Saints era a clear direction.

NEW ORLEANS — Gayle Benson has challenged the Saints to meet a higher standard. The next decision should be how to change the leadership structure that has failed to produce it.

At the Greater New Orleans Quarterback Club on October 13, Benson assigned responsibility to Kellen Moore and his coaches for preparation, Mickey Loomis and the football staff for roster construction, players for execution and herself for accountability. Benson’s October 13 speech

“Words will not restore our fans’ confidence. Our performance must do that.”— Gayle Benson

I agree. My blueprint begins with separating business operations from football leadership, appointing a dedicated president of football operations and ending Loomis’ control of the general manager’s office. Drew Brees should receive the first call about the football presidency. Khai Harley deserves serious consideration for GM, subject to an independent evaluation of his plan.

Those are proposed changes. The evidence supporting them begins with the results.

The post-Payton record demands a different direction

The Saints’ playoff drought and coaching transition

Season	Regular-season record	Head coach	Postseason
2021	9–8	Sean Payton	Missed
2022	7–10	Dennis Allen	Missed
2023	9–8	Dennis Allen	Missed
2024	5–12	Allen / Darren Rizzi	Missed
2025	6–11	Kellen Moore	Missed
2026, through Week 5	1–4	Kellen Moore	Season underway

Five completed seasons without a playoff berth means 2021–25. The drought began in Payton’s final season; the four completed post-Payton seasons were 2022–25. Saints season records · Season and playoff history

From the start of 2022 through October 11, 2026, New Orleans is 28–45, a .384 winning percentage. That total is calculated from the season records above and the current 1–4 start. Across the four completed seasons after Payton left, the Saints went 27–41 without reaching the playoffs.

Loomis helped build the greatest era in franchise history. His role in hiring Payton, signing Brees and assembling a Super Bowl champion deserves recognition. Loomis’ official responsibilities

That history cannot settle the question of who should build the next successful Saints team. The current results require their own judgment.

Loomis’ decisions formed a chain, not an isolated mistake

The organization chose continuity when Allen replaced Payton in 2022. It also traded future draft resources to Philadelphia, including its 2023 first-round pick and 2024 second-round pick, to increase its 2022 first-round inventory. 2022 draft trade

The criticism is about the assessment behind that commitment. New Orleans spent future flexibility on a team it believed could keep contending. The ensuing seasons have not justified that confidence.

In March 2023, the Saints agreed to a four-year contract with Derek Carr, reuniting him with Allen. Carr retired in May 2025, two seasons into his Saints tenure. Carr’s four-year signing · Carr’s retirement and Moore’s first season

His shoulder injury should not be treated as something the front office necessarily could have predicted. The broader football decision remains open to scrutiny: the Saints committed to an Allen–Carr model that delivered no playoff appearance, then entered another transition.

There have been useful acquisitions and promising young players. Those successes belong in an honest review. They have not added up to a dependable contender, and the person directing the overall operation must answer for that gap.

Dennis Allen’s promotion did not preserve Payton’s standard

Allen’s Saints tenure ended at 18–25. New Orleans fired him on November 4, 2024, following a seventh consecutive defeat and a 2–7 start. Allen’s coaching record · Allen’s dismissal

His work as a defensive coordinator provided a reason to consider him. Leading the entire team required more: coordinating staff decisions, establishing an offensive direction and stopping a losing stretch from consuming the season.

One decision worth revisiting was the patience shown toward the offensive structure. In October 2023, Allen publicly ruled out staff changes while acknowledging offensive problems. Pete Carmichael remained coordinator until the Saints dismissed him in January 2024. Allen’s October 2023 staff decision · January 2024 staff changes

The 9–8 finish in 2023 represented improvement over 2022. It still produced no postseason berth. The following year’s injuries were real, but the staff could not halt the slide.

Loomis should be evaluated on the hiring and retention decisions as well as the eventual firing. A review that ends with the coach’s departure leaves the executive judgment that sustained the arrangement insufficiently examined.

Moore’s losing record now belongs in the same conversation

The Saints hired Moore on February 11, 2025, after his season as offensive coordinator of the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. He inherited difficult circumstances, including Carr’s subsequent retirement. Moore’s appointment · Carr’s retirement and Moore’s first season

His first season ended 6–11. Add this year’s 1–4 start and Moore stands at 7–15 as Saints head coach.

He is also 0–3 against Atlanta: losses of 24–10 and 19–17 during the 2025 season, followed by the 45–24 defeat on October 5, 2026. A winless start against the Saints’ fiercest rival carries particular weight in New Orleans. 2025 Week 12 recap · 2025 season finale · 2026 Falcons recapThe stretch that intensified the concern

Game / stretch	What happened
Raiders, fourth quarter — September 27	Four Saints turnovers helped turn the home opener into a 35–27 loss.
Falcons — October 5	Atlanta won 45–24 in the Superdome anniversary game.
Vikings — October 11	Minnesota won 23–13; New Orleans managed 142 total yards and 96 passing yards.

Raiders fourth-quarter collapse · 2026 Falcons recap · Vikings result and offensive totals

Atlanta and Minnesota combined to outscore New Orleans 68–37. Add the Raiders’ turnover-filled finish and the recent football has looked soft, uncertain and ineffective to me.

Moore’s restrained public demeanor can read as emotional distance when performances are this poor. A facial expression cannot establish whether a coach cares. His ability to prepare the team, correct recurring failures and produce a recognizable response is the fair test—and the results have been inadequate.

Supporters deserve explanations that respect the results

In an October 2024 radio interview, Loomis said “Results matter, they do” before explaining why organizations should look “beyond the results” to understand their causes. The context matters: he was discussing injuries and the variables behind losing. Loomis’ October 2024 radio comments

Looking for causes is sensible. To frustrated supporters, however, that language can sound dismissive when it is not followed by a clear explanation of what leadership will change.

At his January 2025 press conference, Loomis acknowledged he could have supported Allen better without providing specifics. Asked why he believed the team could turn around, he answered: “Because we’ve gotten it right before.” Loomis’ January 2025 comments

Past success establishes experience. Fans are entitled to ask what the present evidence says.

Loomis has addressed the media and appeared on radio. The problem is the credibility and specificity of the message. Benson, Lauscha and Loomis should explain the direction together: what failed, who owns the correction and how progress will be assessed.

Lauscha’s business role needs a clear boundary

Dennis Lauscha’s official biography describes a broad business portfolio: finance, government affairs, marketing, ticket and suite sales, legal, stadium operations and other corporate functions. It also identifies responsibilities across Benson’s wider businesses and board service, including Ochsner Health. Lauscha’s official biography

Those affiliations do not prove that he has neglected the Saints. They do raise a reasonable question about scope: who is devoted specifically to challenging the football operation’s assumptions and evaluating the GM?

The public biographies assign the Saints’ entire football operation to Loomis and describe Lauscha primarily through business responsibilities. They do not establish every internal disciplinary or reporting arrangement. I would not claim to know what Lauscha has said privately to Loomis.

My judgment is that the president’s office has not provided a sufficiently convincing public account of how football leadership is being held to a higher standard. Benson should require that explanation.

I would formally designate Lauscha President of Business Operations, with football evaluation assigned elsewhere. If he cannot work within that division, ownership should consider replacing him. The Saints need an executive whose central assignment is the football team’s competitive future.

The new structure must change who has authority

A proposed Saints leadership structure

Office	Proposed responsibility	Accountability
Gayle Benson — Owner	Approve strategy, budgets and senior appointments; review football results.	Own the success or failure of the structure.
President of Business Operations — Lauscha or replacement	Lead finance, commercial operations, stadium matters and corporate administration.	Business performance; no football personnel veto.
President of Football Operations — pursue Brees	Set football strategy, evaluate the GM and coach, resolve major football disagreements.	Report directly to Benson.
General Manager — Harley or an external hire	Lead roster construction, scouting, contracts, draft strategy and cap planning.	Report to the football president; hold defined personnel authority.
Head Coach — Moore subject to review	Lead preparation, staff, scheme, development and game management.	Report to the football president; coordinate roster needs with the GM.
Loomis — departure or a narrowly defined advisory role	Provide advice only if retained.	No control over the new GM, hiring decisions or roster approvals.

A new title must come with a written decision process. The GM should control personnel within an approved plan. The coach should control coaching. The football president should evaluate both and settle major disagreements, with ownership responsible for senior appointments and the overall direction.

My preference is to replace Loomis as EVP/GM. If Benson retains him in another capacity, that job cannot preserve the authority the restructuring is supposed to transfer. Keeping an unofficial veto would leave the same problem in place.

Why Brees should receive the first call

Brees, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2026, has an extraordinary understanding of the Saints’ most successful football culture. Brees’ Hall of Fame induction

I would ask whether he wants to help rebuild it from an executive position. His experience with preparation, quarterback development, offensive identity and the expectations of this market makes the conversation worthwhile.

The job would require commitment to executive work: evaluating people, managing disagreements, working with personnel specialists and making difficult decisions. His playing greatness would earn serious consideration; the hiring decision should depend on his readiness and willingness to do that work.

This is my proposal. It is not a report that Brees is seeking the position or that the Saints are pursuing him.

Former players offer useful models—with different powers

Atlanta’s January 2026 appointment of Matt Ryan is especially relevant to the structure. Ryan reports to Arthur Blank, while the GM and head coach report to Ryan. Business leadership remains separate. Ryan’s authority and reporting structure

Jacksonville offers another model. Tony Boselli, coach Liam Coen and GM James Gladstone form a collaborative leadership group reporting to owner Shad Khan. Boselli’s job is not identical to Ryan’s. Boselli’s role and reporting structureFormer players in football leadership: clearly defined comparison periods

Executive	Role / period measured	Team regular-season record	Result / context
John Lynch — 49ers	GM tenure, 2017–25; added president title in 2023	82–67	Two Super Bowl appearances during that tenure.
Dan Morgan — Panthers	President of Football Operations/GM, 2024–25	13–21	Five wins in 2024; eight and an NFC South title in 2025.
Tony Boselli — Jaguars	EVP of Football Operations, 2025	13–4	AFC South title in the new leadership group’s first season.
Matt Ryan — Falcons	President of Football; hired January 2026	No completed season through 2025	First executive season is underway in 2026.
John Elway — Broncos, historical example	Football executive / GM tenure, 2011–20	90–70	Five consecutive division titles and a Super Bowl 50 championship.

These are team results during the stated periods, not records attributable to one executive alone. Completed seasons through 2025 are used for active executives; 2026 partial results are excluded. Elway’s historical period ends in 2020. Lynch’s executive tenure · 49ers’ record through 2025 · Carolina’s 2024–25 results · Jacksonville’s 2025 results · Ryan’s authority and reporting structure · Elway’s 2011–20 executive record

Lynch and Morgan combine president and GM duties. My preference for New Orleans is a clearer separation between oversight and roster management. These examples establish that former players can hold meaningful executive authority; their titles and results do not make every former star an automatic answer.

Harley deserves consideration—and must explain what changes

Harley is already the Saints’ senior vice president of football operations/assistant GM. His official responsibilities include day-to-day football administration, contract negotiations, cap strategy and work with the personnel departments. Harley’s official responsibilities

That makes him a credible candidate. It also means he has been part of the current system. An internal promotion needs a convincing explanation of what would change under his authority.

I would require Harley to present a roster-building plan, a quarterback-development strategy, an approach to preserving future flexibility and an honest assessment of the current scouting and decision process. He should explain where his judgment differs from the approach New Orleans has followed.

If that plan is strongest, hire him and give him the GM’s authority. If an external candidate offers a better plan, make that hire. The purpose is to improve decisions, not reward a position in the existing hierarchy.

Starting jobs must be earned—and the roster must keep improving

Executive accountability must reach the depth chart. At 1–4, a player’s reputation, draft position or contract should not guarantee his next start. Repeated poor execution should cost snaps and, when a better prepared alternative is available, the starting job.

I would require a weekly review of assignment errors, ball security, protection, tackling, penalties and effort within the scheme. A player who repeatedly falls short should receive a clear correction plan. If the performance does not improve, coaches should expand the competition and make a change.

That requires preparing replacements properly. Give capable backups and younger players meaningful practice opportunities, clear responsibilities and a fair chance to earn larger roles. Depth is valuable only when the staff is willing and able to use it.The in-season personnel response

Action	When it belongs in the plan	The objective
Bench or reduce snaps	A starter repeatedly fails his assignments or a prepared alternative offers better play.	Make performance determine the depth chart.
Release or waive	A player no longer provides enough value and an executable replacement plan improves the roster.	Create room for a more useful contributor after reviewing contract consequences.
Trade	A viable partner offers a better roster fit or fair value for a player the Saints can move.	Add usable talent or resources that support the next stage of the team.
Use free agency and the waiver market	Available players can address a defined weakness or improve competition.	Close the talent gap while the season is still being played.

The GM should maintain an active list of attainable upgrades, with the coaches explaining exactly how each player would be used. Given the recent performances, I would prioritize protection, run blocking, defensive-front reliability and dependable depth. Workouts, the waiver wire, eligible practice-squad options, available free agents and trade conversations should be part of that weekly process.

The 2026 trade deadline is November 10. The Saints have time to explore deals, but they should act on a defined football need and a realistic price. Moving an underperformer requires a willing partner; acquiring help requires a player whose fit justifies the cost. 2026 NFL trade deadline

Contract consequences belong in every decision. Releasing or trading a player can leave dead-money charges, and a release does not automatically erase contractual obligations. That makes an accurate replacement and cap assessment essential. It does not entitle the player to remain a starter. NFL contract and dead-money rules

There are 12 regular-season games remaining. The Saints should be trying to climb out of this hole now, with a competitive roster and an active personnel department. A long-term leadership overhaul must be accompanied by immediate work to win the next game.

Make evaluation continuous and the public plan measurable

An annual postmortem should be one layer of evaluation. I want the Saints to adopt formal weekly reviews, documented corrections, active roster improvement and regular ownership scrutiny throughout the season.How the blueprint becomes work

Timing	Required action	What ownership should receive
Immediately	Commission an independent football review and define the business / football split.	A written account of decision authority, recurring failures and leadership options.
Every week	Review preparation, roster needs, protection, turnovers, situational execution and player development.	Specific corrections, a responsible staff member and a date to assess the result.
Every month	Have the football president review the GM and coach with Benson.	Progress against agreed measures and decisions on unresolved problems.
At the next major hiring / roster cycle	Complete the executive plan and align coaching, scouting, contracts and cap strategy.	A coherent multi-year football plan with clear approval responsibilities.

The public version should explain the direction without disclosing scouting grades or confidential negotiations. Fans can understand a difficult rebuild when leadership defines the objective and accepts responsibility for the route.

Moore’s future should be assessed by the new football leadership. His contract and the circumstances of his arrival should not guarantee retention. If the evidence does not support continued confidence in his teaching, adjustments and team performance, the Saints should replace him.

Benson’s challenge must include the people who built the structure

Loomis deserves credit for helping transform the Saints into champions. Lauscha’s business contributions deserve their own evaluation. Moore deserves a fair assessment of what he inherited and what he has produced.

Fair assessment also permits a firm conclusion: the football operation needs new leadership and a different distribution of authority.

My blueprint starts with business responsibilities clearly assigned, a dedicated football president reporting to Benson, a GM empowered to improve the roster throughout the season and a coach required to hold starting jobs open to competition. Brees should be approached. Harley should be evaluated seriously. Loomis’ long tenure should no longer settle who controls the next era.

That is where I would begin if the Saints are serious about restoring winning football in New Orleans.

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Related coverage: Benson’s challenge to Saints leadership · Moore’s response and the leadership test.

Editorial scope

Saints records are current through October 11, 2026 (Week 5). The executive comparison deliberately uses completed seasons through 2025, except for the stated historical Elway period. Recommendations, judgments about public communication and the Brees/Harley proposal are opinion. No private motive, hiring interest, board-related distraction or exclusively annual evaluation practice is asserted as a verified fact.