Rank the team's biggest impediments to success

1. Mindset
The primary reason many fans want a new GM or coach outside of the Payton coaching tree stems from a fear of organizational complacency. This franchise has too often relied on strategies and tactics that worked in the past but are now outdated. For years, the Saints have struggled because they clung to methods that no longer align with the modern NFL. Robert Greene’s The 33 Strategies of War, particularly the chapter “The Guerilla-War-of-the-Mind Strategy: Do Not Fight the Last War,” perfectly captures this issue. To move forward, the Saints must embrace innovation and adaptability.

2. Decision Makers
There’s a clear need for structural reform from the team president to the head coach. The organization seems bloated with decision-makers—former GMs, potential GMs, and others—yet no one leaves; instead, more people are added. This raises a critical question: if the roster lacks talent, why does the scouting team continue to escape scrutiny? Accountability needs to be a priority across the board, and that starts with evaluating and streamlining the leadership structure.

3. Culture
The Saints’ culture has become a barrier to progress. Mickey Loomis’s reluctance to part ways with Dennis Allen, the routine extensions for aging players, and the hesitancy to trade talent all point to an organization that prioritizes loyalty over results. While loyalty has its place, the Saints must stop managing the team like a family and start running it as a business. Tough decisions are necessary to build a winning culture.