New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson expressed rare frustration Tuesday following the team's 1-4 start to the season.
"That is not acceptable to me," Benson said of the Saints' record, according to NOLA.com's Rod Walker and Matthew Paras. "And it falls short of what our fans truly deserve. I hear the frustration directed toward our team and our organization. It is not lost on me. Our fans invest their time and their hearts in the Saints. They are right to expect more than we have delivered."
The Saints have lost three straight games, all at the Caesars Superdome. Most recently, the Minnesota Vikings' defense stymied New Orleans' offense. Quarterback Tyler Shough turned in his worst performance of the season, completing 16 of 25 passes for 96 yards, zero touchdowns, and two interceptions en route to a 23-13 loss.
"I am committed to making the decisions necessary to improve this team," Benson added. "Everyone in this organization understands the urgency. We must prepare better, execute consistently, and correct the mistakes that are costing us the games."
The 79-year-old Benson shared that she was "truly disappointed" by the Saints' lopsided loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football in Week 4. The matchup commemorated the 20-year anniversary of the Superdome's first game after Hurricane Katrina.
Sunday's defeat versus Minnesota was similarly disheartening for Benson considering the team inducted Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees into its Ring of Honor at halftime.
New Orleans will face the New York Giants in Week 6 before playing the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL's first-ever game in France on Oct. 25.
While Benson's blunt assessment of the Saints' underwhelming results is likely to turn up the heat on second-year head coach Kellen Moore, she understands that talking won't solve the team's woes.
"Our performance must do that," Benson said.
