The New Orleans Saints are heading into the 2025 season with a glaring vacancy at head coach after parting ways with Dennis Allen following a challenging year. The speculation is swirling around who could take the helm, and Jon Gruden’s name is certainly making the rounds in many conversations. If the Saints are looking for a fresh start with a proven leader, Gruden could very well be their ideal candidate.
Jon Gruden is no stranger to the NFL world, bringing with him a wealth of experience, not to mention a Super Bowl ring from his days with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He’s recently taken up a role at Barstool Sports, dissecting NFL plays and proving he still possesses a sharp football mind and trademark enthusiasm. In a situation where the Saints need both a culture reset and expert football acumen, Gruden’s return to coaching could inject the vitality and strategy they need.
Facing a tough road ahead, New Orleans finds itself in a precarious financial position with scarce salary cap room, sitting near the basement of the league at 27th with just 2.9 million dollars. The roster isn’t getting any younger, with quarterback Derek Carr and running back Alvin Kamara inching closer to the twilight of their careers. It’s a challenge that demands a leader genuinely invested in revitalizing the team, someone like Gruden, who thrives on football’s intricacies.
In terms of talent evaluation, Gruden has consistently demonstrated a knack for spotting potential. His famed QB Camp gives us a glimpse of his methodical approach to assessing talent, a quality the Saints could lean on heavily to navigate their turnaround.
With an eye on the future, the Saints, armed with the ninth pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, have ample opportunity to start reshaping their squad. Securing the offensive line should be a priority, with prospects like Will Campbell or Kelvin Banks Jr. offering promising options. The potential to overhaul at quarterback is also on the table, possibly leveraging their out on Derek Carr’s contract this offseason. A strategic move could involve signing a high-upside player like Justin Fields, allowing the team to bridge to future success.
While the Saints might only see modest gains next season, possibly improving to a 7-10 record, the foundation laid in Gruden’s first year could set the stage for a significant turnaround. If they hit the jackpot with Fields or draft a quarterback talent the following year, 2026 could very well be the year fans see a revived Saints squad compete at the top level once again.
