2006 New Orleans Saints season
| 2006 New Orleans Saints season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Sean Payton |
| General manager | Mickey Loomis |
| Owner | Tom Benson |
| Home field | Louisiana Superdome |
| Results | |
| Record | 10–6 |
| Division place | 1st NFC South |
| Playoff finish |
Won Divisional Playoffs (Eagles) 27–24 Lost NFC Championship (Bears) 39–14 |
| Pro Bowlers |
Sean Payton (NFC coach) Drew Brees Jammal Brown Will Smith |
| AP All-Pros |
Drew Brees (1st team) Jammal Brown (1st team) Mike Karney (2nd team) |
The 2006 New Orleans Saints season was the franchise's 40th season in the National Football League.
The season began with the team returning to New Orleans after a year in exile from the city, and trying to improve on their 3–13 record in 2005. All of the team's 2006 regular season home games were played in the Louisiana Superdome, which had been unplayable for the entire 2005 season after being damaged during Hurricane Katrina. Led by a new coach, Sean Payton, and a new quarterback, Drew Brees, the Saints enjoyed their most successful season up to that time, reaching the NFC Championship Game for the first time in franchise history.
On January 17, the Saints made their first step in the 2006 offseason by hiring Sean Payton, the former assistant head coach for the Dallas Cowboys, as their new head coach.
On March 14, 2006, the Saints signed former Chargers quarterback Drew Brees, a free agent, to a six-year deal.
The NFL announced on February 5, 2006, that the Superdome would reopen on September 24 when the Saints hosted the Atlanta Falcons.
Sites for the team's 2006 preseason games were announced on March 23. They were Shreveport, Louisiana, for an August 21 game against the Dallas Cowboys, and Jackson, Mississippi, for an August 26 game against the Indianapolis Colts.
On April 6 the Saints released their 2006 schedule. All home games were scheduled to be played at the Superdome. The home opener against the Atlanta Falcons was moved from September 24 to September 25 and was shown on ESPN's Monday Night Football.
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