By Stig Editor 
New Orleans should prioritize younger talent and sustainable roster building instead of short-term fixes that won’t elevate them into true contention.
Saints’ Coach on the Verge of a Costly Free Agency Mistake?
The New Orleans Saints are walking a fine line between trying to remain competitive and avoiding a full-scale rebuild. While some teams accept the need to start over, the Saints are taking a different approach—attempting to build a contender while still holding onto expensive veterans. This approach means that free agency will be a crucial period for the team, and the decisions made could determine whether they improve or continue their streak of mediocrity.
General manager Mickey Loomis has already made it clear that New Orleans will be active in free agency this offseason. However, the team must tread carefully. After four consecutive years without a playoff appearance, desperation could lead to impulsive decisions—signing the wrong players in an effort to make quick fixes rather than long-term improvements.
Not every free agent is a good fit, and the Saints need to be mindful of who they pursue. They must avoid signing players who are past their prime or don’t align with their long-term goals. Here are three free agents the Saints should steer clear of this offseason.
3. Saints Should Avoid Amari Cooper in Free Agency
The Saints are in desperate need of help at the wide receiver position. With a lack of consistent production from their current receiving corps, an experienced player like Amari Cooper might seem like an appealing option. However, despite his past success, Cooper is no longer the game-changing receiver he once was.
Turning 31 next season, Cooper is coming off a season where he managed just 44 receptions for 547 yards and four touchdowns. While he still possesses talent and could contribute in the right situation, the Saints would be better served investing in younger, more explosive receivers. Signing Cooper wouldn’t provide the long-term boost New Orleans needs, and at this stage in his career, he’s not dominant enough to make a significant short-term impact either.
If the Saints truly want to upgrade their receiving corps, they should focus on either younger free agents with upside or use the draft to bring in fresh talent. A declining veteran like Cooper would only add to their growing list of expensive players on the back end of their careers
.2
. It Wouldn’t Make Sense for the Saints to Sign Kevin Zeitler
Offensive line play was a major issue for the Saints last season, and there’s no denying that Kevin Zeitler had an excellent year with the Detroit Lions. At first glance, adding Zeitler could seem like a great move—he would instantly provide a reliable presence on the interior offensive line, something New Orleans desperately needs.
However, Zeitler’s age makes this a questionable signing. He’ll turn 35 next season, and while he’s still playing at a high level, it’s unclear how much longer he can maintain that level of performance. The Saints are not in a position to contend immediately, which means they need to focus on building for the future. Signing Zeitler would be a short-term fix rather than a long-term solution, and the team would likely find themselves looking for another replacement in just a year or two.
Instead, the Saints should target younger offensive linemen in free agency or invest in the draft to build a sustainable foundation for the future. Zeitler’s experience is valuable, but his age makes him an illogical choice for a team that isn’t on the verge of contending.
1. Saints Must Resist the Temptation to Pursue DeMarcus Lawrence
The Saints have struggled to generate a consistent pass rush in recent years, so it’s understandable why they might be interested in a player like DeMarcus Lawrence. Throughout his career, Lawrence has been one of the league’s most effective edge defenders, providing both pass-rush ability and strong run defense. However, signing him now would be a mistake.
Lawrence will be 33 years old next season and is coming off a Lisfranc injury, which can be difficult to recover from. While he still has the skills to contribute to a defense, his best days are likely behind him. For a team like the Saints, who need to prioritize the future, investing in an aging edge rusher doesn’t make much sense.
Instead of adding another veteran to an already aging roster, the Saints should focus on developing younger pass rushers who can be part of their long-term plans. Bringing in Lawrence might offer a short-term boost, but it wouldn’t significantly alter the team’s trajectory.
Final Thoughts
The Saints must be smart in free agency. They are already dealing with salary cap challenges, and signing aging players on short-term deals is not a sustainable strategy. While Amari Cooper, Kevin Zeitler, and DeMarcus Lawrence have all been productive players in the past, they don’t align with the Saints’ long-term goals.
New Orleans needs to focus on youth, development, and sustainability rather than patchwork fixes. If they want to escape mediocrity and return to playoff contention, they must resist the temptation of signing well-known but declining veterans. Making the wrong moves in free agency could further delay their return to relevance.
By prioritizing younger, ascending talent and using the draft effectively, the Saints can start building a team that can compete not just for a single season, but for years to come.