Alright Who Dat Nation — the season’s done. No more scoreboard watching. No more “if this happens, then maybe.” It’s officially the offseason.
And honestly? I’m okay with that.
This year wasn’t what any of us wanted. The record tells that story well enough. But I’ve been a Saints fan too long to judge a season by one number alone. I’ve seen worse. I’ve seen better. And I’ve seen years that looked ugly on paper but quietly told you who was worth keeping around.
That’s what this offseason is about.
What We Learned
First things first — this team didn’t quit.
Down the stretch, when it would’ve been easy to pack it in, they kept competing. Wins on the road. Physical games late. Young players getting real reps and showing they belong. That matters more than people want to admit.
Tyler Shough didn’t answer every question, but he answered enough to make the conversation interesting. You saw growth. You saw poise in moments where earlier in the year things got shaky. That doesn’t crown anyone — but it gives you something to evaluate instead of starting from zero.
The defense showed pride. Even in games that slipped away, they fought. That’s a foundation you know you can build on.
What Has to Change
Now the honest part.
This team beat itself too many times. Penalties. Missed assignments. Drives that died for no good reason. You can’t survive in this league playing clean football only half the time — especially in a division that was there for the taking.
Execution has to get better. Period.
That’s coaching. That’s preparation. That’s accountability. And that’s what this offseason needs to be about — tightening things up so effort actually turns into wins.
What I Want to See This Offseason
I’m not asking for headlines. I’m not asking for splashy moves just to make fans feel better.
I want:
- Smart decisions
- Development of the young core
- Competition at every position
- A clear plan at quarterback
- And accountability across the board
Most of all, I want a team that knows who it is by Week 1 — not one still figuring it out in November.
The Bottom Line
I’ve lived through the bags-on-head days. I’ve lived the Super Bowl high. And I’ve lived plenty of seasons in between that tested your patience.
What keeps you going as a Saints fan is belief — not blind belief, but earned belief.
This offseason is where that starts.
Get it right, and this team can be right back in the mix.
Get it wrong, and we’ll be talking about the same issues next December.
I’ve seen enough to say there’s something here.
Now it’s on the Saints to prove they see it too.
On to the offseason.
Who Dat.
— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank
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