What are some changes the Saints could make during the bye week?

The New Orleans Saints limp into their Week 8 bye at 2-5, a record that feels painfully familiar for a franchise staring down the barrel of a sixth straight non-playoff season. The 16-10 loss to Pittsburgh in Paris wasn’t just another defeat; it was a microcosm of everything wrong with the 2026 squad, an anemic running game, special teams blunders, and an offense that cannot start fast . With the trade deadline looming on November 10, this bye week is not a vacation. It is a critical self-scout period that will determine whether the Saints try to salvage this season or begin selling off assets . Here are the changes the Saints must make during the bye week.

Overhaul the Offensive Line Coaching and Run Game

The most glaring issue is the complete collapse of the running game. In Paris, the Saints rushed for a staggering 18 yards on 16 attempts. This isn’t just a talent issue; it is a coaching failure. While the Saints invested heavily in the offensive line, the unit has regressed significantly under offensive line coach Brendan Nugent. The team has consistently failed to establish any physicality at the point of attack, ranking 26th in rushing yards per game. The bye week should be used to strip Nugent of his duties or reassign him. The Saints have a capable replacement in-house: run game coordinator T.J. Paganetti. Paganetti spent years learning under legendary offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland in Philadelphia and is one of the few assistants with a track record of a successful run game. New Orleans needs to empower Paganetti to take over the offensive line room and simplify the run scheme. They need to find one or two concepts they can execute consistently, rather than the disjointed committee approach that has plagued them all season. Head coach Kellen Moore admitted the run game coordination has been a collaborative effort that simply hasn’t worked, and it is time to hand the keys to someone who knows how to build a rushing attack.

Fix the Special Teams Disaster

Special teams coordinator Phil Galiano should be coaching for his job this week. The Saints have been a disaster on special teams, leading the NFL in missed field goals and extra points since he took over last season. The kicking situation has been particularly grim. Daniel Carlson, brought in to stabilize the position, is tied for the worst hit rate among active kickers at 66.7% and has consistently left kickoffs short of the landing zone . In a league where games are decided by inches, the Saints are spotting opponents field position and leaving points on the board. The Saints must bring in competition for Carlson immediately. Riley Patterson, recently cut by Miami after a respectable 7-of-9 start, is available and would provide an immediate upgrade or at least push Carlson . If the Saints are serious about winning close games, and they have lost three by one score, they cannot afford to keep trotting out a kicker who misses crucial kicks. Furthermore, Galiano’s units continue to commit costly penalties on returns and coverage, a sign of poor discipline and preparation . A change in leadership here is necessary to inject accountability. Adjust the Offensive Philosophy to Start Fast

Kellen Moore’s team has been outscored 44-6 in the first quarter this season. This slow-starting trend is a coaching issue. Whether it is the scripted opening drives or the team’s preparation, the Saints are constantly playing from behind. Moore noted that the team has often deferred after winning the coin toss, putting the defense on the field first . It may be time to take the ball when winning the toss and lean on a simplified, up-tempo opening drive to get quarterback Tyler Shough into a rhythm early. Shough has actually been a bright spot, throwing for 278 yards against Pittsburgh and showing command of the offense. The problem is that the offense stalls out due to predictable play-calling and a lack of commitment to the run. The bye week should be spent self-scouting the first 15 plays of every game. Moore needs to find ways to get his playmakers, Chris Olave and the emerging Barion Brown, involved early and often, rather than waiting until the second half to open up the playbook . If the Saints can score on their opening possession, it changes the entire dynamic for a defense that has been forced to play from behind far too often. Roster Management and Injury Returns

The bye week comes at a critical time for roster health. The Saints are expecting reinforcements. First-round rookie receiver Jordyn Tyson is reportedly close to returning from his hamstring injury, and running back Travis Etienne Jr. is eligible to return from IR in Week 9 . Getting Etienne back is crucial for a run game that has been non-existent. However, the Saints must also address the depth behind him. With CJ Donaldson suffering a shoulder injury and Alvin Kamara managing a back issue, the running back room is thin. The decision to stash Devin Neal on Washington’s practice squad looks like a mistake. The Saints should re-sign Neal to the active roster immediately to provide a healthy, capable body for the stretch run . Additionally, the offensive line needs a hard look. Cesar Ruiz has struggled and dealt with injuries; rookie Jeremiah Wright performed admirably in his first start in Paris . The bye week is the time to seriously consider making a permanent switch at right guard to inject some youth and physicality into the line.

Conclusion: A Fork in the Road

The Saints are at a crossroads. They are 2-5 with a roster that has enough talent to be competitive but is being undone by coaching deficiencies and self-inflicted mistakes. The bye week is not just about rest; it is about making the hard decisions that could save the season. Firing or reassigning underperforming coordinators, fixing the kicking game, and adjusting the offensive approach are non-negotiable if the Saints want to avoid another lost year. If the front office stands pat and the Saints come out flat against Cleveland in Week 9, the conversation will shift entirely to the trade deadline and the future of veterans like Alvin Kamara and Cameron Jordan . The next seven days will tell us whether Kellen Moore and his staff are capable of diagnosing their own flaws and fixing them, or whether this ship is already too far underwater.