2025 New Orleans Saints Season Preview: The Three Paths Ahead

The New Orleans Saints enter the 2025 season at a crossroads—again. With an aging underwhelming roster, a fanbase split between blind optimism and full-scale rebuild mode, and rookie quarterback in Tyler Shough stepping into the spotlight, the season could unfold in a few drastically different ways. Let’s take a look at the three most likely outcomes—and why some fans are secretly hoping for the worst.

Option 1: Win the NFC South, Lose on Wild Card Weekend, Stay in Limbo

Record: 9-8

Result: Win the NFC South. Host a playoff game. Lose to a better team immediately.

This is the Saints’ most annoying timeline. The division is still weak, and with competent quarterback play and solid defense, the Saints could stumble into the playoffs almost by default. Tyler Shough (or possibly Spencer Rattler) would look decent enough to justify a second year, Chris Olave puts up big numbers, and Alvin Kamara reminds everyone he’s still dangerous when healthy.

The problem? This version of the team isn’t bad enough to blow it up, but it’s nowhere near good enough to compete. GM Mickey Loomis keeps his job, the coaching staff gets a pass, and once again we’re stuck drafting in the late teens. Rinse. Repeat.

Fan Reaction:

“Hey, a playoff game is better than nothing.”

Reality: No, It’s basically nothing.

Draft Pick: 18–20 range

Outcome: No Arch. No QB. Probably an offensive lineman that was projected to go in the 4th round.

Option 2: Full Collapse, Fire Loomis, Draft Arch Manning

Record: 1-16

Result: Blow it up. Burn it down. Start fresh.

This is the “hope through disaster” scenario. Tyler Shough (or Rattler) struggles badly behind a shaky offensive line. The defense regresses. Injuries add up like they do to all New Orleans area Pro Sports teams. Veteran contracts weigh the team down. Nothing works. It’s ugly—but it’s also what some fans are quietly rooting for.

Why? Because it would force change. Loomis would finally be shown the door. Bad contracts would get cleared. The Saints would hit reset—and most importantly, they’d be in position to draft Arch Manning with the #1 overall pick.

Fan Reaction:

“We’re trash, but at least now there’s a plan.”

Reality: It’s painful, but necessary.

Draft Pick: #1 overall

Outcome: Arch Manning. New GM. Out of Cap Hell. Hope.

Option 3: Mediocre Season, No Playoffs, Stuck in the Middle Again

Record: 6-11

Result: Miss playoffs. Pick 12th. Nothing changes.

This is the classic Saints purgatory. The team flashes in a few games, maybe upsets someone in primetime, but never really threatens to make the playoffs. Shough looks okay—just enough to create debate all offseason about whether he’s the answer or not. Loomis probably keeps his job. The roster stays mostly intact.

It’s the outcome fans fear the most: not bad enough to rebuild, not good enough to compete, and not interesting enough to care. It's the hell we have all been living in since Drew Brees retired.

Fan Reaction:

“At least we’re not the worst.”

Reality: Being average for too long is worse than being bad.

Draft Pick: Around #12

Outcome: No elite QB prospect. No reboot. More of the same.

Final Word

There’s a lot riding on this season. The Saints need clarity at quarterback, a direction from the front office, and a reason for fans to believe again. Whether that means turning Tyler Shough into a star or bottoming out for Arch Manning, something has to give.

The worst-case scenario isn’t going 1-16—it’s going 7-10 and pretending it’s progress.

Here’s hoping they either win big… or lose right.

Just don’t finish 6-11. Again.