The New Orleans Saints enter Sunday’s road game against the New York Giants at 1-4, with coach Kellen Moore and the roster facing increased pressure after owner Gayle Benson publicly voiced her disappointment with the club’s start.
What changed for the franchise
Benson’s unusually pointed assessment followed a three-game losing streak and placed added focus on a team that entered 2026 believing it could contend for the NFC South title.
New Orleans closed the 2025 season strongly and viewed the division as within reach. Instead, through five weeks, the Saints have fallen behind the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons and have looked more like one of the NFC’s struggling teams than a division contender.
The defeat to Atlanta in Week 4 was particularly painful. It came about two decades after the Saints’ emotional Superdome reopening, when New Orleans overwhelmed the Falcons in a landmark night for the franchise. This time, Atlanta delivered a lopsided loss that intensified the concerns around the Saints.
Moore said Benson’s message did not reveal anything unfamiliar to the coaching staff or players.
“Mrs. B is great,” Moore said. “Everyone wants improved results. That is the nature of this league. We are all pursuing the same objectives, and the priority is reaching them together as a team.”
Center Erik McCoy said the standings have made the urgency more immediate inside the locker room.
“You want urgency for every game,” McCoy said. “But at 1-4, you realize you cannot afford many more losses if you want to accomplish something this season.”
Benson has generally kept her public comments measured, making this week’s criticism notable. The Saints still have substantial time remaining on the schedule, but their margin for error is shrinking quickly after the poor opening month.
Next kickoff
The Saints visit the New York Giants on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
