The New Orleans Saints have high hopes for the Kellen Moore era and a trio fo young quarterbacks, but what are the more reasonable expectations for the 2025 season?
Breaking down the schedule this week on SportsTalk, the Cajun Cannon set a lower bar than usual for success: 7-10.
"I would be shocked if all of a sudden they get to double-digit wins, which I don’t think can happen, and I’m trying to be positive," Hebert said. "I think a good season would be the Saints at 7-10. The Who Dat Nation, we’ve just got to be patient. We’ve got the right coach. If we’re not winning, it’s not because of the coach."
Listen to the full breakdown from Bobby Hebert in the player above. Can't see the embed? Click here.
It's a mark that would almost be guaranteed finish outside of the playoff bracket for a fifth consecutive season, but it would represent a tick up from the 5-12 season in 2024 that saw the Saints fire head coach Dennis Allen with the team mired in a 7-game losing streak.
One of the bigger reasons Hebert gives the Saints a lower ceiling is the quarterback situation following Derek Carr's surprise retirement. The team plans to have a three-way competition between Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener and rookie second-round pick Tyler Shough, a group that between that has a record of 0-7 in the NFL.
"You’re the quarterback, much is given, much is required and the responsibility that comes with that, but I still think whoever wins the starting job, you can not be discouraged with them if, oh, they’re not a winning quarterback," Hebert continued. "What’s a winning quarterback? Oh, he lost more games than he won. Well, look at, like, with Spencer Rattler. Everybody was hurt. Did he really have a chance? He hasn’t won a game, so that’s why you’ve got to slow your roll.”
Related
But what would it take to reach Hebert's marker of success, it starts in Week 1 with a home matchup against the Cardinals that he sees as something of an early must-win. The matchups don't get easier the next few weeks with a home showdown against the 49ers, followed by road trips to face the Seahawks and Bills. The Saints also need to take care of business against teams like the Patriots, Giants and Jets. But most importantly? That'd be finding a way to go 3-3 against the NFC South.
"You can’t be 1-5 and I always say this, no matter the year, whether it’s Tampa Bay or Atlanta, I say we’re gonna split and then the weakest team you’ve got to beat twice, so that’s how you get to 3-3," he said.
The Saints are kicking off their first of three OTAs this week, followed by a mandatory minicamp in June.