The New Orleans Saints have been eliminated from the NFL playoffs this season, which means that their postseason drought will grow to four years in a row.

They have failed to return to the postseason since the loss of Drew Brees and, at least right now, feels hard to imagine the next time they will make it. The contract manipulation is finally starting to catch up with them now that they are no longer winning games.

Had they made a Super Bowl push in these recent years, it would have all been worth it. Now, they are handicapped with nothing to show for it.

They could have it worse, though, as they don’t have the longest postseason drought and the team that does is already eliminated. This is where the Saints currently rank among other streaks of missing the playoffs:

1. New York Jets – 14 seasons

 

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The Jets have been one of the worst-run franchises for a while, so it is not shocking that they have the longest drought in the league. Going all in on Aaron Rodgers has proved to be a huge mistake and could handicap them for the next few seasons as well as they begin another rebuild with a new general manager and coach.

2. Denver Broncos – 9 seasons

 

Oct 17, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton claps before a game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Sean Payton has found unforeseen success with Bo Nix this year, much to the dismay of a New Orleans front office that fired his predecessor this season. They are just one win away from breaking this drought, but face tough teams in the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs in the final two weeks of the season.

3. Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons – 7 seasons

 

Oct 13, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (5) reacts after making a catch in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

There isn’t much for the Saints to be happy about right now, but still having the edge over two division foes, the Falcons especially, is one thing. Atlanta currently holds the division lead, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers still have a very good shot at it. New Orleans losing the final week could keep the Falcons out of the playoff, which Saints fans would enjoy just as much as anything but New Orleans making it themselevs.

4. Saints and three others – 4 seasons

 

Oct 17, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees on the field for the coin toss with New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23) and linebacker Demario Davis (56) against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Full list:

  • Washington Commanders
  • Indianapolis Colts
  • Chicago Bears
  • New Orleans Saints

The Saints are not in great company in this list and could be in the worst shape to break out of the rut as anyone. The Bears aren’t great either, but at least have a quarterback of the foreseeable future.

With a win, the Commanders would lock up at least a Wild Card spot. The Colts are also in it this year, but are a huge long shot.

5. Four teams – 3 seasons

 

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 08: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots reacts during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Gillette Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

Full list:

  • New England Patriots
  • Arizona Cardinals
  • Tennessee Titans
  • Las Vegas Raiders

The Patriots, like New Orleans, are trying to find their footing after the end of their longtime coach and quarterback duo. Drake Maye looks like the guy to lead them back into the playoffs. The Cardinals should be much better than they are, but are still young.

As for the Titans and the Raiders, they look about as lost as the Saints. No one in this group is making the postseason next year.