Saints 2025 Schedule Released: No Primetime, All Eyes on Rebuild

The New Orleans Saints’ 2025 NFL schedule is officially out, and it tells a story before a single snap is played. Notably absent from the slate? Primetime games. The Saints are one of just three teams across the league not featured under the lights in any Thursday, Sunday, or Monday night matchup—a clear reflection of the NFL’s lingering uncertainty about the direction of the franchise.

That uncertainty stems from a franchise in transition. After parting ways with Dennis Allen, the Saints turned the page to a new era with head coach Kellen Moore, a noted offensive mind looking to craft an identity with a young and unproven quarterback room. Rookie Tyler Shough, a second-round pick out of Louisville, enters training camp as a potential future starter. He's joined by Spencer Rattler, who went 0-6 in starts last season, and Jake Haener, who made a forgettable debut against Washington in 2024, failing to finish the game due to poor play. It's a volatile quarterback situation that reflects both promise and instability.

The regular season kicks off on September 7 at home against the Arizona Cardinals, followed by a visit from the San Francisco 49ers. Weeks 3 and 4 present a daunting stretch: a cross-country trip to Seattle to face a very different Seahawks team, and then a matchup against the reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. Seattle no longer boasts Geno Smith or DK Metcalf, but they have reloaded by bringing in Sam Darnold, fresh off an impressive 2024 season with the Minnesota Vikings, and shockingly added Cooper Kupp at receiver to help fill the offensive void.

Week 5 brings the New York Giants to town, followed by a clash with the New England Patriots in Week 6. It’ll be the Saints’ first look at the Patriots under new head coach Mike Vrabel and second-year quarterback Drake Maye, who now fully commands the offense after a developmental rookie year.

In Week 7, the Saints hit the road to face the Chicago Bears, now led by offensive innovator Ben Johnson as head coach. However, the reunion headlines this game as former Saints head coach Dennis Allen now oversees the Bears’ defense, surely with a score to settle. The next week, they’ll try to avenge one of their most humiliating losses in recent memory—a home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who scored 50 points in the Superdome the last time they visited.

The travel-heavy portion of the schedule continues into November. Week 9 sends the Saints west to face the Los Angeles Rams, followed immediately by another cross-country trip to Charlotte to take on the Carolina Panthers in Week 10. It's a demanding stretch that will test the resolve of this young team.

After a Week 11 bye, New Orleans returns home for a divisional clash with the Atlanta Falcons on November 23. This year’s Falcons will look different under center, with Michael Penix Jr. replacing Kirk Cousins as the starting quarterback. A Week 13 trip to face the Miami Dolphins follows, then a rematch with the Bucs in Tampa on December 7.

Down the final stretch, the Saints host the Panthers, then the New York Jets in Week 16 before traveling to take on the Tennessee Titans on December 28. The regular season wraps up with a TBD finale in Atlanta, a game that could either be meaningless—or, if things go right, a shot at unexpected relevance.

The Saints will open their preseason on August 10 at the Los Angeles Chargers, followed by home games against the Jacksonville Jaguars (August 17) and Denver Broncos (August 23).

For now, the Saints are flying under the radar—literally and figuratively. With no primetime slots, a new head coach, and three inexperienced quarterbacks, 2025 will be a proving ground. The league may have its doubts, but that’s all the more reason for New Orleans to embrace the underdog role as they work to earn back the spotlight.