Cesar Ruiz says he’s heard the Saints fans’ criticism and insists he’s ready to respond in 2026, telling fans, “challenge accepted” as New Orleans eyes a better run after missing the playoffs in 2025.
The Saints didn’t make the playoffs in 2025, but the picture in New Orleans wasn’t entirely bleak. Their second-half play during head coach Kellen Moore’s first season brought some positive buzz heading into the 2026 season.
That momentum, though, didn’t land evenly. Right guard Cesar Ruiz was a frequent target for criticism from the team’s fans, and the scrutiny even reached the front office. General Manager Mickey Loomis said the Saints need more from Ruiz, a player the team drafted in the first round in 2020.
Ruiz has heard it all, and he’s ready to treat it as fuel instead of noise. Speaking via Matthew Paras of NOLA.com, Ruiz said, “challenge accepted” when it comes to the coming season. He also pushed back against the idea that he’ll retreat when things don’t go right.
“I got a lot of disrespect,” Ruiz said. “And ultimately, I’m not a guy who goes into his turtle shell and blames the world for what’s going on. You’ve got to go figure out how to change the narrative and how to go out there and make it happen. So that’s what I’m doing and I’ve made it happen.”
There’s a clear subtext to that message. The Saints drafted guard Jeremiah Wright in the fourth round this year, and if Ruiz doesn’t deliver on the expectations Loomis has placed on him, Wright could be asked to play a more prominent role in New Orleans’ next chapter.
For now, Ruiz is drawing a line between past criticism and the season ahead—insisting the way forward is performance, not explanations, as the Saints head toward 2026 with both optimism and pressure in the same breath.
New Orleans Saints Cesar Ruiz Mickey Loomis Kellen Moore Jeremiah Wright 2025 season 2026 season NFL offensive line
2026 gonna be crazy… hope that “challenge accepted” thing actually means wins.
Saints fans are mean but like… if he was “a frequent target” maybe he just needs to do better? Also how is Wright even relevant already, he’s a rookie right?
Wait so they missed playoffs in 2025 and now everyone’s blaming Ruiz? That sounds like typical “one guy” scapegoat stuff. And “turtle shell”?? I feel like he’s saying stuff PR style. Also Kellen Moore first season was half good right? then why not just keep doing whatever caused that?
I swear every time the Saints are struggling it’s like they put the whole season on the offensive line like that fixes everything. If Cesar Ruiz can’t handle the pressure then that’s on him, but Mickey Loomis talking like he’s a coach too… idk. Jeremiah Wright being drafted this year and now he’s supposed to replace someone??? Football is so fast I can’t even keep up. “Change the narrative” sounds like they’re already making excuses for 2026.