The New Orleans Saints lost more games than they won. They didn't make the postseason for a fifth consecutive season. The season ended with a second loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Still, the vibes and optimism are high, for very clear reasons.
A four-game winning streak over the latter stages of the season, quality quarterback play from a rookie in Tyler Shough who just seems to keep getting better. Elite defensive performances as Brandon Staley's scheme has taken root and a strong locker room culture. It's all a foundation that can be built upon going forward, which head coach Kellen Moore broke down on WWL Radio this week.
"Just really appreciate what these guys have done, the way these guys have battled and I think there’s a lot of things to be proud of," Moore told Mike Hoss and Bobby Hebert, "just the way our guys navigated this season, kept stuff together through some adversity and, you know, I think we showed a lot of stuff down the stretch of what we’re capable of and hopefully we can build on that foundation.”
Hear the full, exclusive interview with Saints head coach Kellen Moore in the player above. Can't see the embed? Click here.
That foundation includes Shough, but also saw career seasons for important playmakers like WR Chris Olave and TE Juwan Johnson. Olave returned from an injury-marred season and despite missing the finale due to a blood clot issue, hauled in 100 catches, for 1,163 yards and 9 touchdowns, all career highs. Johnson signed a three-year extension prior to the season and responded by blowing away his previous career highs in targets (102), catches (72) and yards (889), while also logging 11 explosive plays.
On the defensive side, Cam Jordan had a resurgent season with 10.5 sacks to lead the team, while Chase Young logged a career year in sacks (10) despite missing the first five games due to injury.
"You always like to say stick to the process, trust the process and all that sort of stuff, well, it challenges you when you’re not getting the results ultimately, and for our guys to stick with it, keep growing, keep competing, keep getting better and to feel the success come as the season went on I think gave everyone a good taste at the end, gave everyone some optimism," Moore continued. "We’ve got a ton of really, really good players, but more importantly really, really good people so I’m excited to build with that group."
Moore and Saints GM Mickey Loomis will address the media for their end-of-season press conferences beginning at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Hear it all on WWL and Audacy.
Related
More from Moore
On Tyler Shough
“Tyler has put a lot of good film out there and we’re excited to kind of be able to evaluate, build off of that. Tyler has gotten better each opportunity and I think so many of these guys, the rookie in particular when you look at those guys, they’ve been through a lot the last 18-24 months. You play a full college football season and then you go right into this draft process where they’re doing Senior Bowls and combines and workouts, and then they just roll right into our offseason program and then they have a full season, which is longer than any season than they’ve ever played in, and so they’ve done a lot. I think what’s really cool for these guys is a chance to really take a breath, but then have a full offseason to kind of build up, utilize all of the film that they’ve put out there and be ready to go for next year and so I think everyone likes to talk about that second year jump, and I think, you know, a lot of guys are going to have that opportunity. Certainly Tyler is going to be a very noteworthy one of that, but I’m excited to continue to build this thing and we’ve got great opportunities ahead.”
On stopping Bijan Robinson in finale
“I think credit to our defense. Really good plan by [DC Brandon Staley], coaching staff and really good execution by our guys and I think when you play a guy like him, it truly is going to take all 11 and from the knock back of the defensive line to setting the edges, edge rushers, linebackers flowing and certainly the secondary showing up and making tackles, because ultimately they’re going to have to make some tackles out in space on him and that’s gonna be your way to limit those big, explosive plays that he tends to make in these games.”
On first full offseason as head coach
“Certainly it was a journey that we all went on and I think you learn a lot your first year. By no means are you going to have everything figured out. I thought time management and kind of navigating all the different components of being the head football coach is something you’re going to get better at each and every opportunity you have and certainly there’s a lot of growth opportunities there. I’m excited about the way we finished and the foundation that we’ve laid and excited for moving forward and the biggest thing is it quickly turns over to continue to build this.
"We’ll all get a little chance to breathe here a little bit, spend a little family time and before you know it, we’re into the mode of Senior Bowl, combine, into the roster evaluations and building this thing back up and so every year has that full cycle. I’m excited about that journey. I’m excited, you know, last year, really the way our season went in Philadelphia, which was all great obviously having a chance to go all the way through the Super Bowl, but this year having a little extra time to go through this offseason I think is going to be really beneficial for our entire staff and our entire operation, when you get to team up with the personnel department and go through the entire draft process, I think that’s going to be really good for us.”