Falling to 2-10, the Saints face a pivotal crossroads. The team's future hinges on crucial evaluations of their quarterback, coaching staff, and draft strategy.
The final whistle blew on a devastatingly familiar scene. The New Orleans Saints, staging a furious comeback only to fall short, losing 21-17 to the Miami Dolphins. With the loss dropping the team to a grim 2-10 record and officially eliminating them from playoff contention, it’s time to stop talking about "fixing" this season and start talking about the reconstruction that must begin now.
The Saints didn't just lose, they lost in a way that perfectly encapsulates the problems that have plagued this franchise all year. A lifeless first half (down 16-0), an interception-turned-two-point-Dolphins-score in the final minutes, and the ultimate dagger, a fourth-and-one stop on a rookie quarterback's run. The heart was there in the second half, but the execution and foundational stability were not.
So, with four games remaining, what exactly is next for the New Orleans Saints? It’s a painful but necessary refocusing on three critical areas.
1. The Quarterback Evaluation: The Rest is the Test
Rookie QB Tyler Shough’s performance against the Dolphins was a microcosm of his season: flashes of brilliance (2 TDs, a gutsy comeback) marred by inexperience and critical errors (interception, strip-sack, failing the 4th-and-1).
With Alvin Kamara sidelined, Shough had to carry the load, and while he delivered some impressive throws, the defining play was the pick-six on the two-point conversion attempt. This is the reality of a 2-10 team. The future is now, and every snap from here on is an audition.
The remaining four games—against Tampa Bay, the Giants, the Rams, and the Falcons—are no longer about W's and L's, but about a definitive evaluation of Shough. Is he the long-term answer, a bridge, or something else?
The Immediate Future: The rest of the season must be dedicated to giving Shough every opportunity to prove his resilience, building chemistry with Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele, and defining his ceiling. No more veteran benchwarmers, the reps belong to the future.
2. The Coaching and Front Office Question Mark
A 2-10 record, regardless of injuries, does not happen by accident. While the players on the field deserve scrutiny, the ultimate responsibility falls to the head coach, Kellen Moore, and the front office.
Moore was brought in to revitalize an offense that has been stale for years, but the results haven't followed. The team has shown a worrying lack of discipline and an inability to start games effectively. Every year that passes is a year wasted for foundational stars like Cameron Jordan, who continues to produce at an elite level (two sacks on Sunday).
The Saints organization is now faced with the most difficult decision. Is Kellen Moore the right long-term leader for this locker room and its future young QB? The answer won't change the outcome of the 2025 season, but it will define the next three to five years. If the offense continues to look disorganized, the decision will become an easy one.
3. The 2026 NFL Draft: Embracing the Tank
With playoff dreams officially dead, the most valuable thing the Saints can achieve in their final four games is a higher draft pick. It's a tough pill to swallow for a proud fanbase, but every loss now translates into a better chance at landing a genuinely franchise-altering player in April.
The roster needs foundational talent, especially on the offensive and defensive lines, and at the linebacker position. The team needs to identify veterans who are clearly not part of the plan (if they haven't already) and give their snaps to younger, hungry players. This is about establishing a culture of competition and identifying who truly belongs in the next era of Saints football.
Next week against Tampa Bay won't be about pride or rivalry. It will be about the 2026 draft order and finding small, meaningful indicators of future success. Did Shough read the defense better? Did the rookie runner Devin Neal show burst? Did the young defensive backs step up?
The "What’s Next" for the New Orleans Saints is simple: Accept the present, and dedicate every remaining moment to building a better future. The fans deserve a reason to believe again, and that starts with the painful, necessary process of a full organizational reset and building around the young talent.