New Orleans Saints
There’s a potential out in Drew Brees’ contract after next season, and the Saints should take a long, hard look at using it as an opportunity to rebuild. Not because of Brees himself. At age 37, he led the league in passing yardage. However, Father Time comes for everyone, and the Saints have to focus on the future.
New Orleans just traded Brandin Cooks for draft capital (details here) and fellow wideout Michael Thomas has been subtweeting all month. The defense finished 30th in efficiency last season — an improvement from 2015 — and young talent is needed to build it up. And the best way to get that young talent is by tanking.
The Saints aren’t winning any time soon after Brees is gone anyway. They’ll be in quarterback hell, languishing along with the Bears, Jets, Jaguars and all of the other teams whose games become hell after Week 6 of every season. This isn’t just about building up a defense, it’s about finding another quarterback.
After next season, the choice will be trying to compete with an older Brees without much of a supporting cast, hopping on the quarterback carousel of misery and aiming for 6-10, or tanking.
That choice should be easy. Let’s hope it is for Mickey Loomis.