Hoping past success would bring a bright future to New Orleans the Saints hired Bum Phillips to be their new head coach.
With the first pick overall the Saints draft Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers out of South Carolina.
Rogers won the Offensive Rookie of the Year, as he rushed all-time rookie record of 1,674 yards, a record which was eclipsed just two years later when Eric Dickerson of the Los Angeles Rams rushed for 1,808.
It was the Saints’ thirteenth of fifteen seasons with five or fewer wins, and eighth with double-digit defeats.
Despite finishing with a poor record, they did have a couple bright moments, such as defeating the eventual AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals in the Superdome and defeating the Houston Oilers, Bum Phillips' old team, on the road.