Last time, we talked about how the New England Patriots were a nothing-happening team before Tom Brady walked into their lives and made them the greatest franchise of the 21st century. This time, we’re talking about a team that was even less of a thing before one man came in and changed the game.

The New Orleans Saints didn’t make a postseason appearance until twenty years into their existence. They didn’t win a playoff game until fourteen years after that. We mostly remembered them for this Jim Mora rant:

Pretty much sums the Saints up until Sean Payton and a Hall of Fame quarterback showed up. There were still some notable names to line up under center for the Saints, so let’s look at them!

5. Jim Everett

Everett only spent three seasons with the Saints, but he put up some numbers while he was in New Orleans. His 3,970 passing yards in 1995 stood as a franchise record until 2006, while his 26 touchdowns lasted until 2002. Everett’s Saints teams were pretty low on defensive talent and didn’t have much of a rushing game, so 7-9 was the best they could manage.

4. Bobby Hebert

The Cajun Cannon was the USFL’s all-time passing leader & led the Michigan Panthers to the league’s first championship before making his way to his hometown Saints after the league folded. Hebert became the starting QB during the 1987 season, leading the Saints to a 10-2 record and their very first playoff appearance. The Saints remained above .500 during the rest of Hebert’s tenure with the club, making two more playoff appearances with him at the helm, and another during the 1990 season where he sat out due to a contract dispute.

They didn’t win a playoff game, but Hebert remains a local favorite. He currently hosts an afternoon sports talk radio show in the New Orleans market & is part of the Saints’ radio broadcasting team.

3. Aaron Brooks

Brooks was traded to the Saints by the Packers before the 2000 season, and got his chance to start when Jeff Blake broke his foot. Brooks was able to fill in & keep the Saints on track, as the team went from 3-13 the previous season to 10-6 & 1st place in the NFC West. Brooks made history two times this season with two different victories over the St. Louis Rams: first QB in history to defeat the defending Super Bowl Champions in his first career start, and first QB in history to lead the Saints to a playoff game victory.

Brooks threw for over 3,500 yards each season from 2001-04. He finished second in the league in 2002 with 27 passing touchdowns, and led the franchise in touchdown passes after his final game with the team. However, the Saints would not return to the playoffs & Brooks was let go after a subpar 2005 season. It worked out pretty well for the Saints.

2. Archie Manning

While Manning’s stats don’t exactly spell “success”, he remains one of the most beloved figures in New Orleans sports history. Nobody ever blamed Archie for the Saints being called the “Aints” for most of his ten seasons with the franchise. For one thing, he lacked an offensive line. Manning was the NFL leader in sacks taken three out of his first five seasons, which had something to do with him missing the 1976 season due to a shoulder injury. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1978 & 79, and was widely respected around the league for his play.

His best statistical season was in 1980, when he threw for 3,716 yards & 23 touchdowns. Unfortunately, most of that happened in garbage time, the Saints went 1-15 that season. Manning has the worst QB win-loss record of anyone with more than 100 starts. Fortunately, Archie was able to pass his knowledge on to his sons, whose win-loss records ended up a bit better.

Honorable Mention: Teddy Bridgewater

Bridgewater arrived in New Orleans for the 2019 season, serving as a backup for a Hall of Famer. Not a bad spot to be in, and Teddy proved to be capable of guiding the Saints through troubled waters. The Saints had a 5-1 record when Teddy was pressed into action, keeping them on track for a postseason berth that many thought could end in a championship. Didn’t happen, but Bridgewater was an important part of the effort.

1. Drew Brees

Unless you recently read my list of the best Chargers quarterbacks, it’s tough to remember a time where Brees was considered a fairly mediocre quarterback. He’d had one Pro Bowl appearance in San Diego and seemed to be trending upwards, but a shoulder injury had the Chargers and other teams worried. The Saints & Sean Payton took the chance, and the rest is history. Brees led the NFL in passing yards seven times, including a record 5,476 yards in 2011. He led the league in touchdowns & pass attempts four times, completions, completion percentage & yards per game six times.

Brees was selected to the Pro Bowl twelve times, was a two-time AP Offensive Player of the Year, led the Saints to nine playoff berths and a Super Bowl XLIV victory over Peyton Manning’s Colts. He was also a force to help rebuild New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and helped strengthen the bond between city & franchise like no other. Brees re-wrote the Saints record book, and changed the trajectory of the franchise.

Thanks for reading! Next time, we look at the New York Football Giants!