One Thing Should Not Change for Saints Despite Offseason Moves
The New Orleans Saints were an offensive squad for most of the tenure of QB Drew Brees and coach Sean Payton with the team from 2006-2020. In fact, the Saints were among the most prolific offenses in NFL history during the years these two men were together. For 14 years from 2006 to 2019, the Saints owned a top-5 ranking in points scored or yards 11 times and set several league records for productivity.
As Brees declined and the team’s personnel changed, so did how the team won games. After having a historically bad defense from 2014 to 2016, the Saints used the draft and smart free agent moves to rebuild the unit. Slowly, the Saints began to win games on that side of the ball.
New Orleans won four straight NFC South titles from 2017 to 2020 and were considered one of the league's most balanced squads. Those Saints were able to win just as many contests by throttling an opposing offense as they did by shoot-out.
Injuries, the retirement of Brees, and poor personnel decisions would rob the offense of its trademark production and efficiency the last few years. New Orleans has missed the playoffs in each of the past two seasons, but a defense that could dominate at times still carried the way to most of the victories in a 16-18 record over that span.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) is stopped by New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (56). Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY
Payton, an offensive-minded coach, retired after the 2021 season. Replacing him was Dennis Allen, his long-time defensive coordinator. The Saints had actually become a defensive-oriented team, a transformation that happened over Payton's last few years. New Orleans has had a top-10 defensive ranking in both points allowed and yardage surrendered in each of the last three years.
Struggles against the run in 2022 caused New Orleans to revamp their defensive line this offseason. Otherwise, the back two levels of a dominant unit remains intact, along with perennial Pro Bowl DE Cam Jordan. The same cannot be said for the offensive side of the ball.
After two years of ineptitude in several categories, the Saints have made several personnel additions offensively. Star RB Alvin Kamara and WR Michael Thomas return, along with 2022 star rookie WR Chris Olave. They'll be joined by RB Jamaal Williams, WR James Washington, and WR Bryan Edwards in free agency and draft choices like RB Kendre Miller and WR A.T. Perry.
Most importantly, New Orleans will have a brand new face at the most important position in sports. Veteran QB Derek Carr is expected to provide a major upgrade behind center. We should see a much more explosive and consistent New Orleans offense in 2023. However, fans shouldn't expect the type of freewheeling offense we saw during the prime of Brees and Payton.
Make no mistake, this is still a defensive team led by a defensive coach. Allen will hopefully let Carr and offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael open up that side of the ball, but this squad is still paced by their defensive stars.
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) is tackled by New Orleans Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata (93), defensive end Cameron Jordan (94), and LB Demario Davis (56). Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jordan, LB Demario Davis, and CB Marshon Lattimore are among the league's best at their positions. Corners Alontae Taylor, Paulson Adebo, and LB Pete Werner are rapidly rising stars. High draft choices were spent on DT Bryan Bresee and DE Isaiah Foskey, along with priority free-agent DTs Nate Shepherd and Khalen Saunders.
We'll see a much different offensive team than we've seen from New Orleans since before Brees began to decline. If the team is to return to playoff contention, this will need to be an attacking unit that can beat teams in multiple ways. However, it was also rebuilt to be a unit that can keep pace with it's star-studded defense. That will be the way that Dennis Allen and the Saints still want to beat teams in 2023.
