Saints owner Gayle Benson isn’t holding back after her team’s abysmal 1-4 start to the year. She absolutely lit into the organization on Tuesday, pulling no punches while speaking at a local luncheon. “That is not acceptable to me,” Benson declared, according to NOLA.com’s Rod Walker. “And it falls short of what our fans truly deserve. I hear the frustration directed towards our team and our organization. It is not lost on me. Our fans invest their time and their hearts in the Saints. They are right to expect more than we have delivered.” You know things are rough when the owner steps in like this, demanding more.
The On-Field Disaster That Got Benson Fired Up
Look, the numbers don’t lie. This 1-4 record isn’t some fluke. The Saints have dropped three straight games, and what’s worse, all three of those losses were at home. Their recent 23-13 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday was just a mess from start to finish. Quarterback Tyler Shough had a rough outing, tossing two interceptions and only racking up 96 passing yards. As a team, their rushing game was practically non-existent, managing a paltry 55 yards. The only bright spot this season was a 24-17 win against the Baltimore Ravens way back in Week 2. It’s clear that the offensive consistency, or any consistency for that matter, just isn’t there.
Benson Calls Out the Head Coach and GM Directly
Benson wasn’t just vague about her frustration; she pointed fingers, specifically calling out head coach Kellen Moore and general manager Micky Loomis. Moore is only in his second season as the Saints’ head coach, and it’s his first time running a team in the league. Loomis, on the other hand, has been the GM since way back in 2002, even overseeing their Super Bowl-winning squad in 2009. He’s the only general manager Benson has known since she took over ownership after her husband, Thomas Benson, passed in 2018. She laid it all out: “Kellen Moore and his coaches are responsible for preparing our players to perform. Mickey Loomis and our football staff are responsible for building a roster capable of sustained success. The players are responsible for their preparation and execution. I am responsible for holding this organization accountable.” That’s a full-on organizational shake-up warning right there. The Saints have missed the playoffs for five straight seasons and went a dismal 6-11 last year in Moore’s first season. They haven’t found their footing since Drew Brees retired after the 2020 campaign.
So, what happens next? It’s not clear if Benson’s fiery words will immediately lead to big changes, but you can bet the pressure is on. If things don’t turn around fast, the calls for meaningful organizational shifts are only going to get louder. The Saints are set to face the New York Giants this coming Sunday before heading back home for another three-game homestand. Every snap, every drive, is going to be under a microscope.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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