The New Orleans Saints had been humiliated by the Inexperienced Bay Packers on nationwide tv as they suffered the primary shutout of the 2024 NFL season in a 34-0 blowout.

Let’s talk about two takeaways from the Saints’ Week 16 loss to the Packers:

Picture by Patrick McDermott/Getty Photographs

It’s time for a change.

Monday evening’s efficiency in Lambeau was one of many worst you’ll see on this league, and all of it however solidifies {that a} contemporary perspective must be the Saints’ high precedence throughout this low season’s head coach search.

Regardless of the quantity of respect of us have for Rizzi throughout the constructing and the extent of management he has over the locker room, there have been two evident points throughout his six-game audition to this point: inefficient substitutions and poor clock administration.

As soon as Rizzi took over for Dennis Allen following the Saints’ Week 9 defeat to the Carolina Panthers, he emphasised cleansing up substitutions and never having to burn as many timeouts. Nonetheless, this has remained a wrestle for Rizzi and the Saints. He admitted that substitution points brought about New Orleans to burn a timeout in every half throughout Week 13’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Towards the Packers, the Saints wasted over 20 seconds throughout their 2-minute drill to shut out the primary half as a consequence of a misunderstanding when Kevin Austin Jr. fumbled out of bounds and the sport clock continued to run. Errors like this have been recurring all through Rizzi’s temporary tenure as interim head coach and might utterly alter the end result of a soccer sport. In reality, it’s been a problem for the Saints all season.

That’s to not say Rizzi hasn’t impressed throughout this six-game stretch given the depleted roster and state of affairs he’s been dealt as a first-time head coach. However in the end, an out of doors voice with a contemporary method looks like the most suitable choice transferring ahead and will actually profit the crew.

My high three candidates: Detroit Lions OC Ben Johnson, Lions DC Aaron Glenn, and former Tennessee Titans HC and 2021 NFL Coach of the 12 months, Mike Vrabel, who’s at the moment a training and personnel guide for the Cleveland Browns. Stories point out that each Glenn and Vrabel might be excessive on the Saints’ radar after they start their seek for the crew’s subsequent head coach. Glenn served because the Saints’ defensive backs coach from 2016 to 2020 and spent a season in New Orleans as a cornerback in 2008.

Who’s your most popular candidate?

Picture by Patrick McDermott/Getty Photographs

Swing till you hit.

Spencer Rattler’s fourth skilled begin didn’t go as deliberate. The rookie accomplished 15 of his 30 go makes an attempt for 153 yards, with one interception, a misplaced fumble, and three sacks taken within the course of. That stated, I’d nonetheless say Rattler made some pretty spectacular throws given the freezing chilly taking part in circumstances.

It’s unfair to completely consider Rattler given the supporting forged he’s been tasked with, particularly contemplating this was alleged to be his first begin behind a completely wholesome offensive line—just for star C Erik McCoy to be dominated out with an elbow damage (not anticipated to be critical) and beginning LG Lucas Patrick to go down with a knee damage, seemingly ending his season. Rattler’s favourite goal, rookie WR Bub Means, additionally confronted a setback in his restoration from a excessive ankle sprain whereas getting ready for Monday evening’s sport in Inexperienced Bay, which is able to seemingly revert him again to injured reserve and finish his season as nicely—an unlucky flip of occasions for Rattler, who’s already lacking the vast majority of his weapons. Hopefully, WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling can return from the chest damage and sickness that stored him off the sector in opposition to the crew that drafted him, offering a deep risk for Rattler as he appears to let free in opposition to the 3-12 Las Vegas Raiders (ought to Derek Carr be unable to swimsuit up for his revenge sport).

Both approach, whether or not you imagine Rattler could be the long-term resolution or not, the Saints have to maintain taking possibilities on quarterbacks within the draft till they discover the reply. It’s essential to be affected person with rookie QBs, giving them the time and expertise to develop and study from their errors—as a result of it’s uncommon to search out somebody who is available in and utterly saves a franchise like CJ Stroud did with the Houston Texans or Jayden Daniels with the Washington Commanders. On the identical time, the Saints can’t afford to carry themselves again by passing on potential future stars as a consequence of considerations over quick readiness.

Whereas I personally imagine Rattler generally is a beginning quarterback on this league, he’s a fifth-round choose, and it wouldn’t harm to herald a rookie to compete with him and Carr this offseason. You gained’t discover your franchise savior when you don’t take possibilities on uncooked expertise. Molding promising prospects into gamers who finest suit your scheme has confirmed to work in numerous instances, as Saints followers noticed firsthand when Jordan Love and the Packers dropped 34 factors on the New Orleans protection this previous week.

Inexperienced Bay did an exceptional job molding Love into an Aaron Rodgers-esque gunslinger, and although Rodgers contributed as a mentor, it nonetheless reveals why these dangers are price taking. Should you see one thing in a participant, you go get him, develop him, and play him when he’s prepared and the state of affairs is correct. The choose was extremely criticized on the time, however Love is taking part in at an elite stage in his second 12 months because the starter post-Rodgers and has the Packers at 11-4 heading into Week 17.

I nonetheless assume Rattler deserves a good shot with a reliable soccer crew behind him, however I’d wish to see the Saints take a man late within the draft to use some stress on the QB room—ideally one who suits the fashionable type of quarterback play and has the flexibility to increase performs together with his legs. Though I’ve repeatedly confused how underwhelming this upcoming draft class is, you by no means know who may need that hidden “IT” issue.

Who would you wish to see the Saints choose within the 2025 NFL Draft, and the way early would you be snug taking a quarterback?