The New Orleans Saints can still easily make the playoffs in a weak NFC South. And yet, the current direction of the franchise offers little reason for optimism. The fact is, the Saints are in a vicious cycle of their own making. A commentary

When general manager Mickey Loomis began squeezing cap space in his New Orleans Saints’ roster a few years ago to the point where just about every star player could get a lavish extension, fans, officials and media were gushing with praise.

Talk quickly turned to “Loomis the Magician”. The Saints, it seemed, had discovered a loophole in the rulebook. Some angry fans (noticeably often those of the 31 other teams) even sensed a distortion of competition.

And now, a few years later, the approach, which was based on roses, is becoming an increasingly powerful thorn in the Saints’ side, which is currently at least somewhat concealed by their sporting success.

New Orleans Saints in the playoff race

Despite their loss to the Falcons, the Saints are at least still in the playoff race for the NFC South. Both teams currently have the best record in the division at 5-6

But even the best façade can’t hide a shaky frame forever. And the Saints around GM Loomis have failed to own up to mistakes in their planning.

The central point: an aging, expensive roster with few clear difference-makers can struggle to succeed in today’s NFL.

New Orleans Saints: Lacking balance

At the start of the season, the Saints were the oldest team in the league with an average age of just over 27. The majority of the franchise’s mainstays are in an age segment beyond 30, i.e. at least “upper NFL age”.

In the offseason, the contracts of several veterans (e.g. Cam Jordan) were extended or adjusted, and quarterback Derek Carr was signed for a lot of money. The latter has not really lived up to expectations so far. As so often in his career, the quarterback is playing a solid season, but is not becoming the difference-maker he wanted to be.

This is not to deny that older players do not bring any added value. On the contrary: they are actually needed. With their experience and individual quality, these veterans often establish themselves as leaders, but a balance is needed in the squad.

And the Saints are currently lacking that

Saints: More misses in the NFL Draft

Because the Saints have missed the mark too often in the NFL Draft in recent years. The last draft classes of Mickey Loomis and his team, in the past even praised for their good eye for talent, are not bursting with quality.

This year’s class has yet to make its mark on the NFL. First-round picks like Trevor Penning, Payton Turner and Cesar Ruiz have often fallen short of expectations due to injury.

Of course, the Saints picked up some good undrafted free agents and players like Chris Olave, Paulson Adebo, Alontae Taylor or Pete Werner are regulars, but at the same time, the 2017 draft class represents the Saints’ last Pro Bowlers. Due to the lack of breakthroughs by the youngsters, the Saints are increasingly relying on older players – with major financial consequences.

New Orleans Saints: Old, expensive and mediocre?

According to “Spotrac”, 42 players are under contract for the coming season. As of today, the Saints would exceed the cap space by around 87 million US dollars (!) with the deals. Even in the 2025/26 season, the franchise is currently heading for a deficit of just under 35 million US dollars. With these sums, the Saints have the largest deficit in the league by a wide margin.

Of course, some players can be released and/or contracts adjusted to free up cap space. But the Saints desperately need to break out of their homegrown vicious cycle.

Away from aging, expensive and non-elite players and towards a rejuvenated roster, more talent at key positions, maybe even quarterback soon.

Otherwise, they are too good for a fresh start and too weak for the big time. And sink further into the NFL midfield.