The New Orleans Saints entered 2025 with little in the way of external expectations. The organization also sees the season as a rebuilding one, and as such no major changes are being considered.
By this time one year ago, head coach Dennis Allen had been fired. Longtime general manager Mickey Loomis preferred to avoid such a decision, but owner Gayle Benson acted alone in bringing about a change on the sidelines. In the wake of the Allen dismissal, it was reported Loomis was safe. That remains the case today.
“It may not be what the fans want to hear, but as far as firing Mickey Loomis, that’s ridiculous,” Benson said (via NOLA.com’s Jeff Duncan). “When I am asked to hold Mickey Loomis accountable, I do. Not every decision works out, they never do… I hold him in high esteem, and I am very pleased with what he has accomplished, acquired and is building.”
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Bengals owner Mike Brown have also held the general manager titles with their respective franchises since 1989 and 1991. In terms of pure GMs, Loomis is the league’s longest-tenured, having been in place since 2002. That period includes 12 winning seasons and nine playoff appearances. It was under Loomis in 2006 that the Saints won their lone Super Bowl title.
The post-Drew Brees era has been short on success, however, and Derek Carr‘s retirement helped begin a transition phase many had been calling for well before 2025. The quarterback situation is unclear with Spencer Rattler having been benched after making eight starts this year (and 14 in total). Second-round rookie Tyler Shough is auditioning for the starter’s role, a process which will last through the end of the season.
Regardless of how things play out on that front, a number of key financial decisions are pending. Keeping with tradition, the Saints are once again among the teams projected to be over the cap in 2026. Developing into a contending team will require not only the members of Loomis’ recent draft classes reaching their potential but also an improved situation in terms of veteran contracts and their impact on the organization’s flexibility.
New Orleans sits at 2-8 on the year and attention over the coming weeks will turn to the team’s draft position. As Loomis prepares for an important offseason, he will do so without the threat of being replaced.
The New Orleans Saints are finalizing preparations for the stretch of the 2025 season, with roster moves settling in and young players carving out their first real roles. But away from the practice field, one surprising off-field decision has drawn national attention.
As the franchise locks in its 53-man roster, focus should be squarely on football. Yet, the personal lives of rookies often become intertwined with the spotlight, especially when outside distractions collide with the demands of the NFL.
This week, a first-year Saint made a headline-grabbing decision unrelated to football. For him, staying in New Orleans’ long-term plans meant not only competing on the field, but also managing the pressures of celebrity attention off it.
That rookie is running back Audric Estimé, who recently secured a spot on the Saints’ 53-man roster after being elevated from the practice squad. Shortly after that milestone, he ended his relationship with a well-known social media celebrity, an online star with millions of followers and a massive global audience.
The influencer built her brand through music, lifestyle content and viral posts that turned her into one of the most recognizable young digital personalities. Her reach and visibility inevitably brought heightened scrutiny onto Estimé as he adjusted to life in the NFL and tried to solidify his role in New Orleans.
The rookie explained his choice candidly in a private conversation that has since circulated among team circles:
“Right now, I need to focus on building my career with the Saints. There were too many cameras, too many eyes on my life off the field. I need peace, I need focus – if not, I will lose my chance and get left behind in New Orleans.”
Fans immediately reacted across X and Instagram, some applauding Estimé for putting football first, others sympathizing with his former girlfriend and questioning the pressure placed on young players to sacrifice their personal lives. The split fueled debate over the challenges rookies face in balancing relationships with the ruthless demands of professional sports.
For Audric Estimé, cracking the 53-man roster is only the beginning. By cutting ties with distractions and the glare of social media celebrity culture, the rookie signaled that his priority is clear: proving himself in the Saints’ backfield and earning trust in New Orleans for years to come.