Free Guide to New Orleans Saints NFL History

The New Orleans Saints' Birth and Early Years (1967-1980)

The New Orleans Saints came into existence on November 1, 1966, when the National Football League awarded a franchise to the city. This marked a major moment for New Orleans, as the Saints became the first major professional sports team to play in Louisiana. The team began play in 1967, playing their first game on September 17 against the Los Angeles Rams at Tulane Stadium. The Saints lost that game 27-13, but their arrival meant everything to fans who had waited decades for professional football in their city.

Those early years were difficult. From 1967 through 1980, the Saints struggled to find success. In their first season, they went 3-11. The team cycled through several head coaches and quarterbacks, never quite finding the right formula. One of the earliest notable players was quarterback Billy Kilmer, who led the team in their opening season. The Saints played in the NFL West division alongside teams like the Rams, 49ers, and Falcons—all programs with more established traditions and resources.

The Saints did have some bright spots during this era. In 1975, the team went 4-10, which might not sound impressive, but it represented progress. The fanbase remained loyal despite the losses. Saints fans showed up to games even during losing seasons, creating a unique atmosphere in the New Orleans Superdome once it opened in 1975. The team moved into this magnificent building, which became their home and one of the most iconic sports venues in America.

During these early years, the Saints never had a winning season. Their best record came in 1979 when they went 8-8, but even this did not earn them a playoff spot. However, this period established the foundation for what would come later. Fans learned the team's history, traditions began to form, and the organization developed infrastructure that would serve them for decades.

Practical Takeaway: Understanding that successful organizations often have humble beginnings helps explain why Saints fans developed such passionate loyalty. The team's early struggles lasted thirteen seasons, but they never relocated or disappeared—they stayed committed to New Orleans.

The Jim Mora Era and the First Playoff Run (1986-1996)

In 1986, the New Orleans Saints hired Jim Mora as their head coach, and everything changed. Mora brought discipline, a clear system, and genuine football knowledge to the organization. His first Saints team went 6-10, not a winning record, but a marked improvement over recent seasons. By 1987, the Saints jumped to 12-3 and made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. This was an extraordinary turnaround that demonstrated what effective coaching and organizational focus could achieve.

The 1987 season stands out as a landmark moment. Not only did the Saints finally reach the playoffs, but they also won their first playoff game, defeating the Chicago Bears 36-20 on January 10, 1988. This victory seemed like a dream come true for Saints fans who had waited two decades for their team to win in January. The team would lose their next playoff game to the Minnesota Vikings, but the significance of reaching the postseason at all cannot be overstated. The New Orleans Superdome erupted with joy, and the city celebrated a historic achievement.

Jim Mora coached the Saints for ten seasons from 1986 to 1996. During his tenure, the Saints made the playoffs six times and had a regular season record of 93-78. This represented genuine progress for the franchise. Key players emerged during this era, including wide receiver Eric Martin and quarterback Bobby Hebert, who led the team during the memorable 1987 season. The Saints developed a team identity and a winning culture that had never existed before.

Notable playoff moments from this period include the 1990 season when the Saints went 8-8 but won their division. The 1991 season saw them reach 11-5, their best record yet. Although the Saints never advanced to Super Bowl during Mora's time, they established themselves as a legitimate NFL franchise capable of competing against top teams. The organization proved it was not an experiment anymore—it was a real professional football team.

Practical Takeaway: This era shows how coaching changes can transform an organization. Jim Mora went from coaching the USFL's Philadelphia Stars to rebuilding the Saints, demonstrating that experienced leadership matters tremendously in professional sports.

The Mike Ditka Years and the 1998 Draft (1997-1999)

In 1997, the Saints hired Mike Ditka, the legendary former Chicago Bears coach and player. Ditka had a track record of success, having won a Super Bowl as a coach and played for championships. His arrival in New Orleans represented an attempt to push the franchise to the next level. Ditka was a bold personality who brought confidence and star power to the organization. However, his tenure would be remembered less for his coaching and more for one transformational decision: the 1998 draft.

The Saints had the first overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft, and Ditka made a controversial trade to move up and select Ricky Williams, a running back from the University of Texas. The Saints gave up a massive haul of picks to make this move—they traded their entire future in many ways to get Williams. This decision remains one of the most debated moves in Saints history. Williams was an electrifying talent who won the Heisman Trophy, but whether he was worth the cost has been questioned by analysts ever since.

Ricky Williams did show flashes of brilliance with the Saints. In 1999, his rookie season, he rushed for 1,457 yards, a respectable total that showed promise. However, injuries limited him in subsequent seasons, and he eventually left the team. The draft picks the Saints gave up in the trade went to other teams and produced valuable players for those organizations. This trade serves as a cautionary tale about mortgaging the future for immediate success.

Mike Ditka's record as Saints head coach was 15-33 over three seasons. The team never made the playoffs during his tenure. After the 1999 season, Ditka was fired. Although his time in New Orleans did not produce the results fans hoped for, it represented a period when the organization tried to make a bold statement. Sometimes bold decisions do not work out as planned, but they reflect an organization willing to take risks.

Practical Takeaway: Major trades that give up multiple draft picks for a single player represent a high-risk strategy. The Saints-Ricky Williams trade shows that even with a talented player, if the supporting cast is weak, one star performer cannot carry a team to success.

The Wilderness Years and Jim Haslett (2000-2005)

After Mike Ditka's departure, the Saints hired Jim Haslett as their head coach. Haslett had been a linebacker in the NFL and brought a defensive-minded approach to the team. His early seasons continued the frustration that Saints fans had experienced. The team went 10-38 in his first three seasons (2000-2002), numbers that represent genuine struggle. However, Haslett would eventually lead the team to improvement, though not as quickly as anyone hoped.

By 2003, the Saints finally returned to the playoffs with a 9-7 record and won their division. This marked the first playoff appearance since 1992, showing that the organization could still rebuild itself. In 2003, the Saints defeated the Carolina Panthers in the wild card playoff round with a score of 31-14, providing another postseason victory for the franchise. Quarterback Aaron Brooks led this team, showing the progress the organization was making at the position.

The period from 2000 to 2005 was difficult for New Orleans. Hurricane Katrina struck in August 2005, devastating the city and the region. The Saints' stadium, the Superdome, was damaged and became a symbol of the disaster. However, the team did play the 2005 season, offering hope and normalcy to a city and region in tremendous distress. That season, the Saints went 3-13, their worst record in years, but they represented continuity and hope for a community that had lost so much.

During the Haslett years, players like Aaron Brooks developed into pro-level talent. The organization acquired defensive players like Jason David and built a team foundation. Although the results were inconsistent, the Saints showed they could be competitive sometimes. The period illustrated that even with dedicated coaching and front office effort, building a successful NFL team takes time and sometimes requires external circumstances to align.