Saints owner Gayle Benson just lit a fire under her team, telling the Greater New Orleans Quarterback Club Luncheon that she “will not accept this level of performance as our standard” after the team’s dismal 1-4 start to the season. You hear that from an owner, and you know things are about to get real in a hurry.
When Losing Just Isn’t an Option Anymore
This isn’t just about one loss, either. The Saints are currently sitting at 1-4 after dropping their Week 5 game to the Vikings, and the last three losses have all been straight-up stinkers. What makes it worse? All three of those L’s came right there at the Superdome, including a brutal Monday night drubbing by the Vikings. Talk about a gut punch, especially since that game was supposed to be a celebration marking the 20th anniversary of their post-Katrina return to the stadium. Benson didn’t mince words, admitting that particular loss “truly disappointed me.” Honestly, you gotta feel for the fans. Benson herself said they “are right to expect more than we have delivered” through these first five weeks. No kidding.
The Owner’s Drawing a Line in the Sand
Benson didn’t stop there. She took the mic and laid it all out, making it clear where the buck stops. “As the owner, the responsibility does start with me,” she straight up said, via Rod Walker of NOLA.com. You can tell she’s had enough, because she followed that up with an absolute mic drop: “I will not make excuses and I will not accept this level of performance as our standard.” That’s zero excuses, folks. She then doubled down, saying, “I am committed to making the decisions necessary to improving this team. Everyone on this organization understands the urgency. We must prepare better, execute consistently and correct mistakes that are costing us the games.”
This isn’t just talk. This is an owner putting her foot down early in the season, basically telling everyone that the current trajectory is unacceptable. Benson might not have issued any ultimatums about a more acceptable standard, but her message was loud and clear. What “decisions necessary” means for the Saints moving forward is the question everyone in New Orleans is asking right now.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
Leave a Reply