New Orleans Saints principal owner Gayle Benson issued a sharp public critique of her franchise Tuesday, calling the team’s 1-4 start “not acceptable” and warning that immediate improvements are necessary.
Speaking at the Greater New Orleans Quarterback Club luncheon, the 79-year-old owner addressed mounting fan frustration following three consecutive losses, Fox News and ESPN reported. Benson said she had heard the public complaints “very loudly” and emphasized that the team’s supporters “deserve better.”
“As the owner, the responsibility does start with me,” Benson said, according to reports. “I will not make excuses, and I will not accept this level of performance as our standard.”
Benson went on to identify key organizational leaders by name, noting that everyone must be held accountable for the franchise’s trajectory.
“Kellen Moore and his coaches are responsible for preparing our players to perform,” Benson said. “Mickey Loomis and our football staff are responsible for building a roster capable of sustained success. Our players are responsible for their preparation and execution.”
Frustration During Milestone Games
Benson expressed particular disappointment regarding poor performances during special events at the Superdome this season. In Week 4, New Orleans suffered a 45-24 loss against the division rival Atlanta Falcons on “Monday Night Football.” The game marked the 20th anniversary of the franchise returning to the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina, a defeat Benson described as “truly disappointing.”
The team followed that performance with a 23-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. During halftime of that game, the Saints inducted legendary quarterback Drew Brees into their Ring of Honor. The New Orleans offense struggled throughout the night, generating only 142 total yards as quarterback Tyler Shough finished with 96 passing yards and two interceptions, The Comeback reported. Benson remarked that the “best way to honor that legacy is to uphold [his] standards today.”
Prolonged Struggles Under Current Leadership
The sluggish start has left New Orleans at the bottom of the NFC South. The Saints are now 7-15 since Moore took over as head coach ahead of the 2025 season, according to ESPN. The franchise has not reached the postseason since 2020, the final year before Brees retired and former head coach Sean Payton departed. Loomis has served as the organization’s general manager since 2002.
The Saints began the season with a 31-30 overtime loss to the Detroit Lions before securing their lone victory against the Baltimore Ravens. News outlets provided conflicting timelines regarding the schedule, with HITC placing that victory in Week 3, while Fox News and The Comeback reported the win came in Week 2, followed by a Week 3 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Consecutive 1-4 starts over the past two years mark the first time New Orleans has dropped at least four of its first five games in back-to-back seasons since 1996 and 1997, when the club began both campaigns 0-5, HITC reported.
What Comes Next
“Words will not restore our fans’ confidence,” Benson stated. “Our performance must do that.”
The Saints now face a critical two-game stretch away from home. New Orleans will travel to New Jersey to face the New York Giants before flying across the Atlantic to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in France, which will mark the NFL’s first regular-season contest held in that nation. Whether Moore and Loomis can implement changes to satisfy ownership remains to be seen.
