The New Orleans Saints are entering the 2025 NFL season with more questions than answers — and if you believe ESPN’s latest offseason rankings, the outlook isn’t too bright. In fact, the national outlet gave the Saints the worst offseason grade in the entire league, citing a lack of direction, aging contracts, and minimal roster upgrades.
But is the situation really that dire? Or are the Saints flying under the radar in a wide-open NFC South?
🔍 A Division in Flux Let’s start with the NFC South. Once a laughingstock, this division is suddenly loaded with quarterback talent and retooled rosters:
The Falcons made the biggest splash by signing Kirk Cousins and drafting Michael Penix Jr., signaling both a win-now and future-focused approach.
The Panthers grabbed headlines with the selection of Tetairoa McMillan, hoping he becomes Bryce Young’s Mike Evans.
The Buccaneers are running it back with Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, and Todd Bowles, banking on chemistry and experience.
Meanwhile, the Saints are… recalibrating.
🧠 The Saints’ Roster: Contender or Pretender? New Orleans still boasts top-tier talent:
Derek Carr, though inconsistent, enters his second year with Kellen Moore calling plays — a system that may better fit his skillset.
Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed offer explosiveness, but a true WR2 must emerge.
Demario Davis, Marshon Lattimore, and Cam Jordan anchor the defense, but age and injury history raise questions.
The Saints’ 2025 draft class, headlined by JC Latham, adds some upside, but not enough to dramatically shift public opinion.
And that brings us back to ESPN’s harsh grade — one based less on potential and more on an apparent lack of identity.
⚠️ Risky Business: Former Cowboys & LSU Star in Play? Sources around the league have linked several former Dallas Cowboys to New Orleans, including veteran linebacker Leighton Vander Esch and receiver Michael Gallup. While neither is a game-changer, both could serve as solid depth in a Saints system lacking consistency.
But perhaps the biggest rumor? A potential move for an LSU standout with undeniable talent — and troubling injury concerns. But can the Saints afford the risk?
🪖 Helmet Reveal: 🔥 or Flop? Let’s talk aesthetics. The Saints recently unveiled a new alternate helmet for the 2025 season, and it’s been met with mixed reactions.
Some love the bold new look — featuring a sleeker gold finish with black chrome accents — while others feel it’s an unnecessary distraction from more pressing matters on the field.
Bottom line? Looks don’t win games, but culture does. And in a year where identity is everything, even the helmet becomes part of the narrative.
🏁 Final Verdict: So… Can the Saints Win the South? Yes — but only if everything breaks right. The defense must stay healthy. Kellen Moore needs to unlock Derek Carr. And Mickey Loomis has to find a few hidden gems in free agency or through unexpected trades.
The NFC South is still a winnable division. But for the Saints, it’s no longer enough to lean on tradition or past glory. In 2025, it’s about execution, health, and urgency.
Because the truth is… if New Orleans doesn’t seize this opportunity, they might find themselves watching the playoffs — again — from the couch.
