NFL.com - 23 (=)​

“The New Orleans Saints hadn’t even run 10 offensive plays before the Packers built a 21-0 lead on Monday night. Spencer Rattler hit a few passes and Kendre Miller popped a few runs, but you had to look pretty hard to find the positives for New Orleans’ injury-ravaged offense, as the Saints ended up on the short end of the first shutout of the 2024 NFL season. Rattler made two of his best throws just before he threw his worst: an interception deep in Packers territory when there was no play to be made. There is enough intrigue in Rattler’s game to keep him in the 2025 mix, and he may or may not get more time down the stretch, depending on Derek Carr’s health. But this offense resembles nothing of the group that ripped off 91 points in the first two weeks of the season. The Saints haven’t scored that much over the past five games combined.”

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USA Today - 24 (-3)​

“A disaster on national television. The Saints came in depleted and left destroyed. Interim coach Darren Rizzi didn’t help his cause with the clock gaffe at the end of the first half.”

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Bleacher Report - 25 (-1)​

“Before Monday’s meeting with the Packers, veteran edge-rusher Cameron Jordan told reporters that he’s been impressed by the job interim head coach Darren Rizzi has done since taking over the team.

“Rizzi has brought energy, has brought fire, has brought an idea of what a head coaching job should look like and at the same time, will he be given that shot next year? ... Everybody’s under evaluation,” he said.

It’s hard to say how becoming the first team shut out this year will affect that evaluation. The reality is that the Saints are so decimated by injuries that it’s not entirely fair to judge a coach based on what happened in Week 16.

But there are a lot of hard truths facing this team. And while Rizzi has done a solid job given the circumstances, he’s not a permanent hire that will move the needle much.

Of course, the Saints’ next head coach will be in something of an untenable position anyway.

Analyst’s Take

There are teams with worse records in the NFL, but outside maybe Cleveland, the Saints may be in the worst long-term shape in the league.

There isn’t a team in the league looking worse relative to next year’s estimated salary cap. New Orleans doesn’t have a long-term answer at quarterback, and many of its core players on both sides of the ball are aging.

At this point, the smart play is to bite the bullet, blow up the roster, suffer through a 2025 season that will make this year look like a picnic and then draft a quarterback in 2026.

Whether New Orleans has the guts to concede the franchise needs a total reset is another matter. — Davenport”

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CBS Sports - 26 (-1)​

“The injuries have crippled this team. It’s a shame how bad they are right now. The question is who will be the coach next year.”

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Sports Illustrated - 23 (=)​

“A new toilet in the coaches’ restroom. That, or a few Amazon gift cards for the Superdome plumbing crew. “

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