Wait ‘Til Next Year: Saints Still Stuck in NFL Purgatory
- The New Orleans Saints’ betting line reflects continued struggles heading to 2025
- Despite a weak division, fans should have low expectations for playoff contention
- Bet for or against the New Orleans Saints futures at BetUS Sportsbook
The New Orleans Saints are going on their fifth season since they last made the NFL playoffs. If you’re a Saints fan, you’re jaded as this franchise is going nowhere. New Orleans has no head coach as of mid-January, an aging defense and a quarterback incapable of elevating the team beyond the playoff bubble. Don’t bet on the Saints making groundbreaking NFL news heading into the 2025 offseason.

Former #Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy is also expected to speak with the #Saints early next week, sources say. No firm date established, but that is the plan. A key candidate in both spots. https://t.co/0umyQFUNKY
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 14, 2025
Top 3 New Orleans Saints Storylines for 2025 Offseason
1. And the Next Head Coach is …
Mike McCarthy? If we look at the NFL futures odds, the former Packers and Cowboys head coach is at +150 to be the Saints’ next coach. Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is considered the favorite while the Bills’ offensive coordinator Joe Brady is in the mix. But who is the best fit for this team?
If we look at the past Saints head coaches, they have mainly been defensive guys. Sean Payton, the franchise’s greatest coach, was a stark exception. But from Jim Mora to Jim Haslett to Dennis Allen, the Saints have been defined by their relatively conservative approach at hiring their main play-caller.
Glenn has excelled as Detroit’s defensive guru. Allen was also a fantastic defensive coordinator who turned into a subpar head coach. We are in an era where offense trumps defense, especially in the playoffs. But count on the Saints to make another underwhelming hire.
2. QB Derek Carr: With or Without You
Quarterback Derek Carr can best be summarized by that U2 song as New Orleans is a lot worse without him but also not that good with him. The team went 0-7 when Carr sat this season but just 5-5 when he played, per NFL betting trends.
All-in-all, the 11-year veteran has made four Pro Bowl selections but has a record of 77-92. He’s also only had three winning seasons and has been criticized by former teammates and fans alike. So what will New Orleans do?
Nothing. The Saints are unlikely to trade or cut Carr, who still has two years left in his $150 million deal. He has spoken against taking a pay cut and will turn 34 this coming season. With Carr, the Saints have gone 14-13 with zero playoff appearances. But he’s also posted a respectable 98.8 passer rating.
DEREK CARR PICKED OFF!
UNREAL 🤯 pic.twitter.com/SiaDT8DaND
— ESPN (@espn) October 8, 2024
Still, the Saints play in one of the weakest NFL divisions. A 9-8 record could win the NFC South. So there is no urgency for management to find a better quarterback. Doing anything more will be a bold NFL prediction.
3. What Will it Take for Saints to Rebuild?
The Saints will need to bottom out or keep losing for ownership to “wake up” if they do. Mickey Loomis has been the team’s general manager for over two decades. And he’s been content with letting the team flounder in mediocrity outside of the Payton and Drew Brees years. New Orleans has neither so we’re betting online against significant moves here.
New Orleans likely still sees itself as a playoff contender. If Loomis is to make moves, it will be to retool via the NFL Draft and free agency. The Saints’ defense is still among the better units in the league albeit another season older. The offense appeared to be improving under Klint Kubiak but that was quickly proven fool’s gold.
It’s hard to see how much better the team can get with increment upgrades for 2025. Fans will have to continue being patient as the only way this franchise changes starts at the top.
Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.
Question of the Day
What is the Saints’ all-time win-loss record?
New Orleans’ all-time regular-season record is 417-480-5. Its playoff record is 10-13.