Kellen Moore is the New Orleans Saints' head coach, and our Saints Insider team of Times-Picayune beat writers Luke Johnson and Matthew Paras and columnists Jeff Duncan and Rod Walker has reaction to Moore's introductory press conference Thursday. What hints did Moore drop about how he wants to run the team, personnel decisions (including on quarterback Derek Carr) and more? #saints #whodat #saintsnation #nfl #nflcoaches #neworleanssaints
Feb 13, 2025•26 min
The New Orleans Saints have finalized a deal with Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore to become the team's next head coach, ending a long search that started when Dennis Allen was fired in November and began in earnest after the regular season. Our Saints Insider crew breaks it down live, from whether Moore is the right guy to the challenges he faces and what his staff might look like. #saints #nfl #nflcoaches #whodat #saintsnation #eagles #flyeaglesfly...
Feb 11, 2025•50 min
The New Orleans Saints are still searching for their next head coach, and four candidates they reportedly had interest in took other jobs or removed themselves from consideration — Aaron Glenn, Joe Brady, and most recently Kliff Kingsbury and Mike McCarthy. That leaves Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore as the favorite. Does this mean the Saints are settling for a candidate they had ranked behind several others, or simply that a thorough process has led them here? In this epi...
Jan 29, 2025•32 min
With the Las Vegas Raiders hiring Pete Carroll on Friday and the Dallas Cowboys rumored to be close to choosing Brian Schottenheimer, the New Orleans Saints look like they'll be the final NFL team with an opening at head coach. Our Saints Insiders — Times-Picayune columnists Jeff Duncan and Rod Walker and beat writers Luke Johnson and Matthew Paras — break down whether that's a bad sign, and who we think the hire ultimately will be. Speaking of which, the NFL conference championship games are th...
Jan 24, 2025•38 min
The New Orleans Saints continue their coaching search in a turbulent week that has included a historic snowstorm preventing candidates from flying in for interviews; the New York Jets, who are trying to lock down Aaron Glenn before the weather clears in New Orleans; and the not-so-subtle social media hints from Alvin Kamara and Cam Jordan as to which coach they'd prefer. Our Saints Insiders — Times-Picayune beat writers Matthew Paras and Luke Johnson, columnist Rod Walker and editor Zach Ewing —...
Jan 22, 2025•34 min
Three favorites have emerged in the New Orleans Saints head coaching search: Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady and former Packers and Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy. Our Saints Insiders — Times-Picayune beat writers Luke Johnson and Matthew Paras, columnist Jeff Duncan and editor Zach Ewing — make their cases for each of those candidates. Plus, we discuss what might happen if all three land elsewhere and make our NFL playoffs divisional round predic...
Jan 17, 2025•47 min
New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis gave his end-of-season press conference Monday, and our team of Saints Insiders — Times-Picayune columnist Jeff Duncan, Saints beat writers Matthew Paras and Luke Johnson and editor Zach Ewing — react to Loomis' tone and the few specifics he offered about the Saints' coaching search, their roster, salary cap situation and more. We also discuss the Dallas Cowboys parting ways with coach Mike McCarthy and whether he becomes the new favorite in the S...
Jan 13, 2025•35 min
The New Orleans Saints' season is over, and now the crucial search for a new head coach has begun. Our Saints Insider crew of Times-Picayune beat writers Luke Johnson and Matthew Paras, columnist Rod Walker and editor Zach Ewing break down what they're looking for in a new coach and go through the list of top known candidates. • Is Aaron Glenn the Saints' top choice? Would he come to New Orleans? • Why Joe Brady might best fit what the Saints are looking for • How the Saints could entice Mike Vr...
Jan 08, 2025•48 min
The New Orleans Saints finish a lost season Sunday with a Week 18 game at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who clinch the NFC South with a victory. Meanwhile, the Saints are waiting for the game to end so that they can begin their search for a new head coach in earnest. Our Saints Insiders — Times-Picayune beat writers Matthew Paras and Luke Johnson, columnist Jeff Duncan and editor Zach Ewing — talk about what happens in the immediate aftermath of Sunday's game with interim coach Darren Rizzi and his ...
Jan 03, 2025•41 min
As the New Orleans Saints prepare to face the Las Vegas Raiders in a dead-rubber NFL game on Sunday at the Superdome, our Saints Insider crew looks at some of the Saints we'd like to see more of in these final two weeks. The list starts with running back Kendre Miller, who didn't get as many snaps as expected against the Packers on Monday night, but there are other players who need to show an impact too — and to that point, why haven't the Saints developed more young impact players? All that, pl...
Dec 27, 2024•45 min
The New Orleans Saints visit the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field for Monday Night Football against the Green Bay Packers. That would be tough for any team in December. But this is a Saints team with Spencer Rattler and a bunch of backups on offense with not much left to play for against a Packers team that can clinch a playoff spot. Add it all up, and the Saints are underdogs of a historic level. How can they compete? We break it down on this episode of Saints Insider, along with comments on Chri...
Dec 20, 2024•42 min
With Derek Carr likely out for the rest of the season with his broken hand, the New Orleans Saints likely will turn to Spencer Rattler to start the final three games. What does that audition mean for Rattler's future? Is Jake Haener done in New Orleans? And what does Carr's injury mean for next year and beyond? Our Saints Insider crew of Times-Picayune beat writers Luke Johnson and Matthew Paras and columnists Rod Walker and Jeff Duncan break down the revolving door at quarterback and how the fr...
Dec 18, 2024•47 min
The New Orleans Saints will take on the Washington Commanders on Sunday at the Superdome in a game that doesn't lack for storylines. • It's Jake Haener's debut as a starting quarterback • It's Jayden Daniels' return to Louisiana after winning the Heisman at LSU • It's Marshon Lattimore's return to the Saints • It's a revenge game for Saints defensive lineman Chase Young • And Darren Rizzi (3-1 as interim coach) continues to try to make his case for the permanent job. How will things go? And what...
Dec 13, 2024•40 min
The New Orleans Saints are playing it coy with their decision on a starting quarterback. They haven't officially ruled out starter Derek Carr, who left Sunday's win over the Giants with a broken hand and concussion. Could Carr actually play this week against Washington? If he doesn't, what are the cases for his backups, Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler? Our Saints Insider crew breaks down the situation, makes their prediction on who will play — and also offers thoughts on Bill Belichick's agreeme...
Dec 11, 2024•38 min
The New Orleans Saints face the New York Giants on Sunday, and while they're technically still alive in the chase for the NFL playoffs, it's getting to the point in the season where focus goes to individual performances and looking toward the future. To that end, we have an offensive player who may be in line for a big game against the Giants. Also in this preview episode: • Could Cam Jordan finally win NFL Man of the Year? • Drew Lock's strengths and weaknesses • Why this game might go by quick...
Dec 06, 2024•37 min
With college football wrapped up in National Signing Day, the latest episode of Saints Insider takes a look at the six New Orleans Saints players who were five-star recruits coming out of high school. Can you guess the six along with our experts? After that, we go through those six one by one and see whether they've met expectations — or whether the jury is still out. Also on this episode: • Moves we expect the Saints to make this week • Taysom Hill reflection • The Saints who were the LEAST her...
Dec 04, 2024•39 min
If the New Orleans Saints can beat the Los Angeles Rams this Sunday, they would be back in the thick of the NFC playoff picture, and interim coach Darren Rizzi would take a step toward consideration for permanent status. If they lose, December is going to be almost meaningless in the standings — and possibly for Rizzi, too. So can they take advantage? They'll have to stop a potent Rams attack and take advantage of a potentially leaky defense. Our Saints Insider crew breaks down the game and offe...
Nov 29, 2024•41 min
It's the day before Thanksgiving, so our Saints Insider crew is ready to make holiday wish lists for various members of the New Orleans Saints. This episode includes: • The best Thanksgiving side dish (wait till you hear Jeff Duncan's weird choice) • Darren Rizzi's path forward • The moment Derek Carr needs • Klint Kubiak and making adjustments • Improving the pass rush, short- and long-term • Forcing more turnovers #saints #whodat #saintsnation #nfl #nflweek13 #thanksgiving...
Nov 27, 2024•46 min
New Orleans Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi is off to a flying start, winning his first two games. Is this just a two-game blip, or can he sustain momentum through the end of the season? And more pertinently, is he a candidate for the Saints' full-time job? Our Saints Insiders — Times-Picayune beat writers Matthew Paras and Luke Johnson, columnist Jeff Duncan and editor Zach Ewing — put on the Rizz in this episode, with a singing performance from Luke included. Also discussed in this episode: ...
Nov 20, 2024•37 min
On the surface, it might seem like an NFL Week 11 game between two bad teams. But there are plenty of intriguing reasons to watch the 3-7 New Orleans Saints take on the 2-7 Cleveland Browns. Our Saints Insider crew — Times-Picayune beat writers Luke Johnson and Matthew Paras and columnists Jeff Duncan and Rod Walker — breaks it all down in this preview episode, including: * Whether Darren Rizzi can prove it wasn't just an interim bump * How the Dome might react to a team that won again * The imp...
Nov 15, 2024•48 min
The New Orleans Saints beat the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday to snap a seven-game losing streak in Darren Rizzi's debut as interim head coach. Was that an outlier result based on the energy that naturally comes with change? Or is Rizzi building something more sustainable? Our Saints Insider crew of Times-Picayune columnists Jeff Duncan and Rod Walker, beat writer Luke Johnson and host Zach Ewing breaks it down, and also examines the following: • Erik McCoy's expected return and the bump it gives th...
Nov 13, 2024•39 min
The New Orleans Saints play their first game under interim head coach Darren Rizzi on Sunday against the rival Atlanta Falcons, a tough test but one the Saints will attack with renewed energy. Rizzi made plenty of immediate changes that players have taken notice of, increasing hope the Saints can at least partially turn around their season after Dennis Allen's firing. On the other hand, injuries are still a problem and the Falcons are riding a big wave of momentum into this game. Our Saints Insi...
Nov 08, 2024•48 min
The New Orleans Saints have fired Dennis Allen and traded Marshon Lattimore, dramatically altering the course of the franchise for the rest of the season and beyond. Our Saints Insider crew — Times-Picayune beat writers Luke Johnson and Matthew Paras and columnists Jeff Duncan and Rod Walker — breaks down the changes in this episode, including: • Ultimately, why was Dennis Allen fired? • Whose decision was it? • What's going to be different with Darren Rizzi? • Did the Saints get enough for Latt...
Nov 06, 2024•54 min
The New Orleans Saints have lost six straight games, a skid that has transformed them from the NFL's darlings after two games to one of the worst teams in the league. Luckily for them, they face the consensus worst team in the league this week, the Carolina Panthers. Even better, they return starting quarterback Derek Carr from injury and show every sign of being able to get back to winning ways. But can they? A cluster of injuries to defensive backs and the Saints' general malaise are legitimat...
Nov 01, 2024•38 min
Saints coach Dennis Allen's job appears to be safe for now, despite a six-game losing streak that makes this year's Saints look like a lost cause. Our Saints Insiders — Times-Picayune columnists Jeff Duncan and Rod Walker, beat writer Matthew Paras and host Zach Ewing — break down the situation, including: • Why Mickey Loomis and the Saints continue to stay the course • What it would take to fire Allen • Our understanding of Allen's contract status • How much Gayle Benson is actually involved Pl...
Oct 30, 2024•38 min
While Taylor Swift's Eras Tour takes over New Orleans and the Superdome, the Saints hit the road for a crucial game in Los Angeles against the Chargers, in desperate need of snapping their five-game losing streak. The Saints Insider crew breaks it all down, discussing whether the Saints' rest advantage and a bunch of returning healthy players is enough to dismiss doubts about Spencer Rattler and the New Orleans rushing defense to get a big road win. Oh, and we make a bunch of bad Taylor Swift pu...
Oct 25, 2024•42 min
The New Orleans Saints gave star running back Alvin Kamara a 2-year contract extension, securing his future in New Orleans through the 2026 season with $22 million guaranteed. Was the move worth it for the Saints, or are they just rewarding a franchise player for his past service? Also in this podcast: • Light at the end of the Saints' injury tunnel • What does Marquez Valdes-Scantling add? • The defense's problems might not be solvable • Big picture: A win over the Chargers could spark a hot st...
Oct 23, 2024•40 min
Everything about the 2024 New Orleans Saints seems to come to a crisis point Thursday night, when the Denver Broncos visit the Superdome. With the team riding a four-game winning streak and playing a half-dozen backups on offense, here comes the franchise's most successful coach, Sean Payton — on the same night legendary quarterback Drew Brees goes into the Saints Hall of Fame. Can the Saints deal with the noise? How do they find ways to improve with all of the injury problems enough to get a cr...
Oct 16, 2024•54 min
The New Orleans Saints have lost four straight games after a red-hot start, and there's plenty of blame to go around. But general manager Mickey Loomis told WWL radio this week that he stands behind head coach Dennis Allen and that fans should "look beyond the results" to evaluate a team. But something is clearly wrong in New Orleans. Is it coaching after all? Injuries? Bad luck? Players who have quit? It's time to take a deep dive into what's ailing the Saints as they prepare for the Denver Bro...
Oct 15, 2024•53 min
The New Orleans Saints turn to rookie Spencer Rattler at quarterback against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It's a tough spot for the Saints, who are on short rest, facing a team with extra rest, and are starting Rattler behind an injury-riddled offensive line. Can they win? How would they win? Our Saints Insiders — Times-Picayune beat writers Luke Johnson and Matthew Paras, columnist Rod Walker and host Zach Ewing — discuss the matchups on the field, the choice of Rattler to replace injured Derek Ca...
Oct 11, 2024•36 min
