Saints GM Mickey Loomis asks for patience with a young developing team after Gayle Benson's criticism

New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis says he hears his owner loud and clear. He is also asking for a little more time.

Speaking Wednesday in Versailles, France, Loomis said he understood recent criticism from owner Gayle Benson. He called the Saints a "young developing team."

"I understood where she's coming from and I think every once in a while we all need to be a little uncomfortable -- that's OK," Loomis said at a news conference dominated by questions about Benson's comments.

What the owner said

With the team at 1-4, Benson said she would "not accept this level of performance." She laid out who was responsible for what across the organization.

"Kellen Moore and his coaches are responsible for preparing our players to perform. Mickey Loomis and our football staff are responsible for building a roster capable of sustained success," she said. "The players are responsible for their preparation and execution. I am responsible for holding this organization accountable."

The Saints have not made the playoffs since the 2020 season. They responded to Benson's remarks by beating the New York Giants 34-27 last Sunday to improve to 2-4.

Not good enough yet

Loomis said he believes the Saints can build lasting success but admitted they have not shown it yet.

"We haven't done that yet, have we?" he said. He called football an outcome-based sport and said the Saints are not good enough yet.

"We're a young team -- young developing team and we have to recognize that," Loomis said. He pointed out that Moore is just 22 games into his career as a head coach.

Asked about benchmarks for this season, Loomis said much of it is subjective and tied to how young players develop and improve. He declined to get into specifics.

Moore, 38, is in his second season with the Saints. He said last week that "Mrs. B's great" and that everyone wants better results.

The Saints practiced this week at the training facility of a Versailles soccer club. They face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday in Paris.