The New Orleans Saints are gearing up for their game against the New York Giants in Week 6, desperate to get something going amid their 1-4 start.

The Saints are on a three-game losing skid, with owner Gayle Benson calling them out in a rare criticism of her team. She, however, also shouldered the blame, acknowledging that their performance is “not acceptable.”

“Our fans invest their time and their hearts in the Saints. They are right to expect more than we have delivered,” said Benson, who named-dropped coach Kellen Moore and general manager Mickey Loomis.

On Thursday, defensive coordinator Brandon Staley said he saw Benson's pointed remarks. Staley took it as constructive criticism.

“I think all of us take that comment and know just how much she cares. Mr. and Mrs. Benson have built this team and built this city in many ways. So we take that as a source of pride, and we're fortunate to work for an owner like that,” said Staley in the video posted by NOF.

“I think all of us know that in the first five games, we've had some tough results. But we also believe in the people that we have here. As Mrs. Benson said, we have high standards here, Super Bowl standards. So that's what we’re committed to every single day. All of us are in it together.”

“I think all of us take that comment and know just how much she cares.”#Saints DC Brandon Staley on #Saints owner Gayle Benson’s comments.

“As Mrs. Benson said, we have high standards here, Super Bowl standards, so that’s what we’re committed to every single day.” pic.twitter.com/5KNeaYwjBf

— NOF (@nofnetwork) October 15, 2026

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The Saints have missed the playoffs for five straight years. They have not been to the Super Bowl since winning it in 2010.

Staley, who is in his second year in New Orleans, will have to step up and devise new schemes for the defense. The Saints are allowing 30.2 points per game, second-worst in the NFL. They give up 361.0 yards per outing, which also ranks in the bottom half of the league.

Benson inherited the Saints following the death of her husband, Tom Benson, in 2018. She is also the owner of the New Orleans Pelicans.