On Rebuilding: Embracing the Process in New Orleans

Rebuilding is not a dirty word. It’s a reality. In the NFL, where sustained success is elusive and parity is king, even the best franchises eventually find themselves at the bottom, stripped down and searching for identity. That’s where the New Orleans Saints find themselves now.

From 2006 to 2021, the Saints were living a football fairy tale—one led by the brilliant mind of Sean Payton and the Hall of Fame arm of Drew Brees. Over those 15 seasons, the Saints went 152-89 under Payton.

They were perennial contenders, NFC South bullies, and Super Bowl champions. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: that era is over. And like every franchise before them, the Saints are now staring at the long, bumpy road of rebuilding.

What does rebuilding look like? Ask Brandon Lumpkin, who said, “I was thinking 3 [years] myself honestly, but that’s still moving fast compared to other teams that took 10 or more—that’s the scary reality the Saints are in now.”

And he’s not wrong. Real rebuilding isn’t an offseason project; it’s a multi-year grind. For discussion purposes, let’s define consistent winning as 10+ wins a season for five straight years. Getting to that point again will take more than just luck—it’ll take time, vision, and a whole lot of patience.

Enter Kellen Moore.

The new head coach isn’t here to wave a magic wand. He’s here to build. And while the wins may not be piling up yet, the signs of progress are there—if you’re willing to look. As Ralph Malbrough noted, “The more you look under the hood at Saints statistics you understand Moore is doing a damn good job making these games competitive.” When you consider the state of this roster—aging veterans, a patchwork offensive line, and a quarterback still finding his footing—it’s clear that Moore is squeezing every drop of potential out of a limited group.

Quarterback Spencer Rattler is emblematic of the journey ahead. As John Sigler joked, “At his rate he’ll be comfortable enough in the offense to start with more wins than losses by 2028. Trust!” It sounds harsh, but it’s also rooted in reality. Franchise quarterbacks aren’t found on aisle five at Costco. They’re developed. And development takes time—years, not weeks.

Would you wait six years for a Baker Mayfield? Because sometimes, that’s what it takes.

No quick fixes. No shortcuts. Just hard decisions, player development, and learning to walk before you run. The turbulence is real—but if Moore and company stay the course, the Saints might just fly again.

Buckle up, Who Dat Nation. The rebuild is here.