New Orleans Saints Season Preview
As the 2024-2025 NFL season approaches, the New Orleans Saints find themselves at a pivotal juncture. Following a turbulent few years marked by inconsistent performances and coaching changes, the Saints are poised for a resurgence. This season, much optimism surrounds the arrival of a revamped offensive coaching staff, which promises to bring out the best in veteran quarterback Derek Carr. The Saints can reclaim their status as division champions with a wide-open NFC South division.
New Orleans considers its organizational stability a source of pride, but after its third consecutive season ended without a playoff berth, this offseason was marked by significant change. The Saints fired offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, who had been with the team since 2006, and they ultimately retained only one offensive assistant coach from the 2023 season. They also saw several key skill players get hurt in the past few years, resulting in mediocre play. The hope is that an injection of new ideas and some younger talent can reverse the Saints’ decline since Drew Brees retired following the 2020 season. That may depend upon whether new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak can get more out of quarterback Derek Carr and whether an aging defense can quickly rediscover its old form to turn around some concerning trends.
After 18 years with Carmichael running Sean Payton’s offense, the Saints finally cut ties. They hired Kubiak away from the San Francisco 49ers staff, hoping to steal some of Kyle Shanahan’s offensive magic. While the Saints didn’t make any splashy offensive additions, they are hopeful Kubiak can maximize Carr’s game by improving the team’s rushing attack with the zone-running scheme Kubiak’s father, Gary, helped revolutionize while letting Carr feast on play-action. Receivers like Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed will find great success down the field with this scheme. Carr credited the increased usage of play-action for his late-season surge. He had a 116.7 passer rating on play-action last season but ranked just 13th in play-action pass attempts. Anticipate a big jump in usage this season. The biggest hurdle to Kubiak’s plans may be the offensive line. He added respected coaches John Benton and Rick Dennison to his staff to help sort it out, but it remains a huge question mark — not only because of poor play but also attrition.
While much of the focus is on the offense, the Saints’ defense remains one of the best in the league when healthy. Led by defensive stalwarts Cameron Jordan and Demario Davis, this unit has consistently been a top performer. A perennial Pro Bowler, Cameron Jordan anchors the defensive line with his exceptional pass-rushing and run-stopping abilities. His leadership and relentless motor set the tone for the entire defense. Demario Davis, a tackling machine and the heart of the linebacking corps excels in both run defense and pass coverage. His ability to diagnose plays quickly and make impactful stops makes him invaluable to the Saints' defensive strategy. Davis' leadership on and off the field galvanizes the defense, ensuring the unit plays with intensity and cohesion. The Saints' secondary, featuring Marshon Lattimore, one of the premier cornerbacks in the league, adds another layer of strength. Lattimore’s lockdown coverage skills often neutralize the opposition’s top receiving threat. The emergence of young talent in the secondary further solidifies this group, making it difficult for opposing quarterbacks to find open targets.
The 2024-2025 season is not just another chapter in the Saints' storied history; it is a make-or-break year that could define the team's direction for the foreseeable future. With a new offensive coaching staff poised to unlock Derek Carr’s full potential and a division ripe for the taking, the Saints have every reason to be optimistic. If their defense, led by Cameron Jordan and Demario Davis, can stay healthy and generate a more potent pass rush, they could quickly return to being a top-five unit. This season is crucial for head coach Dennis Allen and the team's veteran core, as another year of underperformance could lead to significant changes. The stakes are high, and the Saints must capitalize on their potential to reestablish themselves as contenders. Saints fans have much to look forward to as a new era begins in New Orleans, hoping this season will mark the start of a return to glory.
