Five weeks into the season, the frustration in New Orleans has reached the top of the organization.
Saints owner Gayle Benson said Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, that the team’s start of one win and four losses is unacceptable and that she will do whatever it takes to improve the team.
What did Gayle Benson say about the Saints?
Benson spoke at the October meeting of the Greater New Orleans Quarterback Club, a local football booster organization.
She told the audience she hears the frustration aimed at the team and that it is not lost on her. Fans invest their time and their hearts in the Saints, she said, and they are right to expect more.
Gayle Benson said the responsibility starts with her as the owner. She said she would not make excuses and would not accept the current level of play as the team’s standard.
She added that she is committed to making the decisions needed to improve the team and that everyone in the organization understands the urgency. The team must prepare better, execute more consistently and fix the mistakes that are costing it games, she said.
Benson did not say what specific decisions she has in mind. She also did not address the future of any coaches or executives.
How did the Saints get to one win and four losses?
The season started with promise despite a painful opener. New Orleans lost 31 to 30 to the Detroit Lions when a try for two points to win the game in overtime failed. The Saints chose to go for the win rather than kick an extra point to tie, and the gamble came up short.
A week later, the Saints pulled off an upset, beating the Baltimore Ravens 24 to 17 on the road. Winning in Baltimore is a tough task for any visiting team, and the victory raised hopes in New Orleans.
The momentum faded quickly. In Week 3, New Orleans lost 35 to 27 to the Las Vegas Raiders after two drives that could have produced touchdowns ended in fumbles. Turnovers in scoring position proved especially costly in a game decided by eight points.
The Atlanta Falcons then routed the Saints 45 to 24 in Week 4, and the Minnesota Vikings beat them 23 to 13 last week. The loss to Atlanta, a division rival, was especially painful for fans.
Why does Gayle Benson’s message matter?
Public statements like this from an NFL owner are uncommon this early in a season. Benson’s comments may signal that patience inside the building is wearing thin.
Her promise to make necessary decisions is likely to fuel speculation about possible changes, though she offered no details. Owners typically weigh such moves carefully during a season.
The early hole also puts pressure on the Saints in the NFC South, where a slow start can quickly leave a team behind in the division race.
Who is Gayle Benson?
Gayle Benson became the Saints’ principal owner in 2018 after the death of her husband, Tom Benson, who bought the team in 1985.
She also owns the New Orleans Pelicans of the NBA. Benson is a prominent figure in the city, known for her philanthropy and community work. She has overseen several playoff runs as owner, and the franchise’s lone Super Bowl title came after the 2009 season under her late husband.
What is next for Gayle Benson and the Saints?
The Saints will try to turn things around in Week 6. For Gayle Benson and frustrated fans, the coming weeks will show whether her promise of urgency translates into results on the field. Twelve games remain on the schedule.
