- New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson has given her full support to General Manager Mickey Loomis, dismissing fan calls for his firing as “ridiculous.”
- The strong endorsement comes as the Saints struggle with a 2-8 record, facing a potential fifth consecutive year without a playoff appearance.
- Benson acknowledged the team is in a “rebuilding mode” under new head coach Kellen Moore, pointing to Loomis’s past successes as reasons for her confidence.
- Despite the team’s struggles, a recent win led by rookie QB Tyler Shough offered a glimpse of the franchise’s future direction.
Benson Offers Unwavering Support for Loomis
New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson has issued a powerful vote of confidence for embattled General Manager Mickey Loomis, pushing back against a wave of fan criticism following the team’s difficult start to the season. In a recent interview, Benson called demands for Loomis’s dismissal “ridiculous,” affirming she holds him in “high esteem” and is “pleased” with his performance.
“It may not be what the fans want to hear, but as far as firing Mickey Loomis, that’s ridiculous,” Benson stated. “(He) does a great job.”
Her comments aim to quell the growing frustration among fans as the Saints sit at 2-8, tied for the worst record in the NFC. The team has lost 21 of its last 26 games and is currently on pace to miss the playoffs for the fifth straight year, the longest drought since the early 2000s.
A Franchise in Rebuilding Mode
Benson contextualized the team’s current struggles by stating the organization is in a “rebuilding mode,” a message she says the front office communicated at the start of the season. She empathized with the fanbase’s disappointment but urged for patience.
“I’m very disappointed, as everybody is, but we’re in a rebuilding mode,” she explained. “I understand how fans feel. I really do. And I feel bad for the fans, but we told everybody in the beginning, this was going to be a tough year.”
This transitional phase is being navigated by a new coaching staff led by head coach Kellen Moore, who is tasked with developing young talent and steering the team back to its winning ways.
Loomis’s Legacy and the Path Forward
As the longest-tenured general manager in the NFL, the 68-year-old Loomis has overseen the most successful period in Saints history. Benson credited him with franchise-altering decisions, including the hiring of former coach Sean Payton and the signing of legendary quarterback Drew Brees, which ultimately led to a Super Bowl title in 2009.
Despite the recent downturn since Brees’s retirement in 2020, Benson’s support remains firm. The team recently snapped a four-game losing streak with a 17-7 victory over the Carolina Panthers, a win secured with rookie quarterback Tyler Shough at the helm. This victory, under Moore’s offensive scheme, offers a small but significant sign that the rebuilding process may be starting to yield positive results.
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