1985 New Orleans Saints Season

The 1985 New Orleans Saints season was the Saints 19th season. It was Earl Campbell’s final season in the NFL.

The offseason began with rampant rumors the franchise was on its way out of town. Original owner John W. Mecom Jr. was anxious to sell the team, and he threatened to move to Jacksonville, Florida if no suitable owner could be found. In May, local car magnate Tom Benson stepped up and pledged to meet Mecom's asking price of $70 million. Mecom and Benson sat down with Louisiana governor Edwin W. Edwards and hammered out a deal, which was finalized May 31.

Benson moved training camp from Vero Beach, Florida to Louisiana Tech University in Ruston. The team quickly brought in local legend and United States Football League standout Bobby Hebert to compete with Richard Todd and Dave Wilson for the starting quarterback position. Hebert won the position late in the season and started the final five games.

Coach Bum Phillips offered to resign when Benson completed his purchase, but Benson declined the offer. The season got off to a disastrous start, as the Saints were routed 47-27 at home by the Kansas City Chiefs, and an angry woman poured a cup of beer on Phillips as he exited the field. With the team 4-8 following a victory at Minnesota, Phillips resigned. His son, defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, took over as interim coach for the final four games.

The Saints finished with a non-winning record for the 19th time in 19 seasons, going 5-11. Benson promised big changes following the campiagn, which he delivered upon.