How long will it take to rebuild the current landscape of the New Orleans Saints fully? The answer is that the rebuild should take as long as needed. The rebuild has already begun, and regardless of how the season is playing out right now, the Saints are indeed in rebuild mode. The first two weeks of the season provided a glimmer of hope for what the season could be, but the harsh reality came full circle once the injuries began to mount during the Week 3 matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles.
While the team has a strong nucleus, it lacks the depth needed to endure the grind of a 17-week NFL season. The injuries to key players such as Derek Carr, Chris Olave, Erik McCoy, Rashid Shaheed, Taysom Hill, and Alvin Kamara expose how unprepared the Saints were if the players mentioned would miss significant time. New Orleans would insert personnel from the undrafted ranks or late-round selections to fill the void left by injured playmakers.
That’s where the Saints season would take a drastic turn, and the need for an extensive overhaul grew. The chances of the Saints reestablishing themselves as a major player in the NFC South this season were always slim because of how the injury bug plagued the current roster. On top of the injuries, the dismissal of Dennis Allen that occurred midway through the season added another layer of how difficult it would be to reemerge from the depths of the NFC. However, there’s been a certain section of the Saints fanbase that has clamored for a season to occur like the one that is unfolding right now.
They are praying that the bottom will completely fall out so that the team has no other option left on the table but to revamp the current roster fully. And based on what we are witnessing right now, they are getting what they have desperately wanted all along, which is not to be anywhere near a playoff berth. The team has been out of serious playoff contention since Week 9’s embarrassing defeat to the Carolina Panthers. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi was able to rattle off a few wins but could not obtain a signature victory to significantly increase his chances of becoming the team’s full-time head coach.
Speaking of embarrassing defeats, the Saints’ Week 17 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders was yet another reminder of how far this team has fallen. The 25-10 defeat was a microcosm of the season—plagued by lackluster offensive performances, a defense that couldn’t consistently execute, and a roster that didn’t have the depth to compete with a team that had no business looking the way that they looked in Sunday’s matchup in New Orleans. The Saints now sit at 5-11, a record that underscores the urgent need for a full-scale rebuild.
But how long will this rebuild take? The answer depends on a few key factors:
Overhauling the Roster
The Saints’ roster features a handful of stars who, when healthy, can still play at an elite level. However, the team’s core—players like Alvin Kamara, Cameron Jordan, and Tyrann Mathieu—are either nearing the twilight of their careers or have battled significant injuries. While these veterans bring leadership, their contracts and age could become hurdles in rebuilding. Transitioning to a younger, more durable roster will take smart drafting and calculated free-agency moves, likely requiring multiple offseasons to accomplish.
Addressing the Quarterback Situation
The quarterback position remains one of the biggest question marks heading into the 2025 season. Derek Carr’s injury-plagued season raises concerns about his durability and long-term viability. Meanwhile, neither Jake Haener nor Spencer Rattler has proven they can be the long-term answer under center. The Saints may need to invest significant draft capital in finding their next franchise quarterback, a process that could take years to bear fruit.
Navigating the Salary Cap
The Saints’ front office has long been known for creatively manipulating the salary cap, but that strategy has come at a cost. Entering the 2025 offseason, New Orleans faces significant financial constraints, limiting their ability to bring in top-tier free agents. Any rebuild will require careful cap management to shed bad contracts while ensuring resources are available to invest in young talent.
Leadership and Vision
With Dennis Allen’s midseason dismissal, the search for a new head coach looms large. The next head coach must have a clear vision for the future and the ability to rebuild the culture of a team that has lacked identity since Sean Payton’s departure. Finding the right leader will be critical in determining how quickly the Saints can return to competitiveness.
Patience Required
For the Saints’ faithful, patience will be key. A full-blown rebuild isn’t a one-year fix—it’s a process that could take three to five seasons, depending on how well the team executes its plan. The Saints must hit on their draft picks, make savvy free-agent acquisitions, and establish a culture of accountability under new leadership.
While the road ahead is daunting, there’s also hope. The team’s struggles this season have exposed the cracks in its foundation, forcing the front office to confront harsh realities that might have been ignored during middling years. The Saints have the opportunity to build something sustainable, but it will take time, strategic planning, and a willingness to embrace short-term pain for long-term gain.
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