The McShay Show – Decision Maker Series
Episode: “Mickey Loomis: Saints EVP & GM”
Host: Daniel Jeremiah (for Todd McShay)
Guest: Mickey Loomis, New Orleans Saints EVP & General Manager
Date: February 11, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode continues the "Decision Maker Series" with New Orleans Saints EVP & GM Mickey Loomis. Daniel Jeremiah (filling for Todd McShay) dives deep with Loomis into the intricacies of NFL draft decision-making, scouting philosophy, organizational collaboration, building a team after acquiring a franchise quarterback, and how Loomis has adapted in his storied NFL career. Loomis offers candid, inside-the-room stories about the Saints’ recent quarterback pick, approach to building an O-line, how the Saints draft board is structured, and, in a lighter moment, reveals secrets about their famous draft weekend food spread.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Scouting & Evaluation Timeline for Tyler Shuck
- Initial Interest and Prospect Tracking
- Saints’ scouting on Shuck began about three years prior to the draft, following his journey from Oregon to Texas Tech and finally Louisville.
- Noted an early injury history and under-the-radar potential.
- Loomis:
“One of our scouts said, ‘Hey, this guy’s gonna be under the radar … we might get a steal here as an undrafted free agent or late.’ And then he went to Louisville, had a great season and obviously climbed up the draft boards.” [02:06]
2. Front Office-Coaching Staff Collaboration
- On Drafting a Quarterback as a New Head Coach Arrives
- Loomis stresses that no player is drafted unless the coaching staff fully supports the move:
“I would never bring a player in that our coaching staff didn’t want. … We want our coaching staff to have skin in the game for any player that we bring in.” [04:45]
- Collaborative disagreements are resolved "long before we make a pick." Loomis wants the coaches' investment in development.
- Loomis stresses that no player is drafted unless the coaching staff fully supports the move:
3. Saints’ Draft Philosophy: Trade Up for Conviction
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Loomis has a reputation for aggression in the draft:
“Why would I want to go back and get a lesser player? If you believe in your board…that’s the principle behind that. … We fall in love with somebody and we’re going to go get them.” [06:02]
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On balancing the urge to move up with the risk of losing out on later prospects (like Quincy Riley) and maximizing value:
“You want value for the pick too. You definitely want the player, but you also want to manage your draft.” [06:53]
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Mock draft simulators are used for “150 or 200 scenarios,” but Loomis notes:
“GMs are not simulators. And a lot of them are really good at keeping their decisions close to the vest.” [07:44]
4. Development Plan After Drafting Tyler Shuck
- Loomis and the Saints value patience for young quarterbacks:
“In a perfect world, you take a young quarterback and you let him get acclimated and sit and follow somebody else and develop. … History shows that’s just better to get acclimated and understand the league.” [09:01]
- Loomis draws parallels to Brady, Rodgers, Mahomes, etc.—most sat before starting.
- Unique circumstances (Derek Carr’s retirement) forced adaptation, but Shuck’s maturity and college starts helped make his in-season transition successful.
5. How to Build Around a Young Quarterback
- Loomis, mentored by Hall of Fame tackle Mike McCormick, emphasizes the offensive line:
“Mike would say … ‘The most important room is the offensive line, because if they can’t function at a high level, then it doesn’t matter how good your quarterback is…’” [12:26]
- Saints’ history shows heavy investment in O-line via the draft.
- The O-line is foundational to team “culture,” providing smart, tough, selfless teammates.
- Loomis stresses not just protecting the QB, but developing the whole structure to support quarterback development.
6. Tackles, Measurables, and Exceptions
- Hot topic: NFL obsession with offensive tackle arm length (34”+).
- Loomis is pragmatic:
“We’re not looking for exceptions, because if we keep finding exceptions we’re eventually getting fired. … But you gotta look at the whole body of work … a really good player is a really good player.” [14:57]
- Saints drafted sub-34” arm-length tackles (e.g., Ryan Ramczyk, Kelvin Banks) when the film and character fit.
7. Drafting Running Backs: Saints History & Philosophy
- Deuce McAllister was a “top 5” player on their board, drafted at ~21 despite already having Ricky Williams.
- Later examples: Mark Ingram (1st round), Alvin Kamara (early 3rd round; Sean Payton “fell in love” with Kamara for his intelligence).
- Running back premium only if conviction is “can’t pass this guy up.” [17:51-19:17]
8. Football Fundamentals vs. New Data
- On evolving as a GM, embracing new data/analytics:
“We have a lot more data available to us, so we try to take advantage of that, but it’s always just a tool in the toolbox. … The data can either confirm or contradict what our eyes see. If it confirms it, great. If it contradicts, let’s dig a little deeper.” [20:22]
- Still values fundamentals: “blocking, tackling, fundamental stuff,” especially with college-to-NFL transition challenges.
9. The Loomis "Short Board": Saints' Unique Draft Board System
- Saints’ final draft board is notably smaller than most teams—sometimes only “two or three names” left late in the draft.
“We have a lot less than that on our board … these are the guys we want, and the rest just kind of becomes clutter … They fit the profile of what we want to bring in the locker room. … That’s why we trade up, not back, generally speaking.” [26:58-28:12]
- Board size and structure influenced by Jeff Ireland’s formula.
10. Personal Journey, Advice & Perspective
- Loomis, with characteristic candor, jokes about his 12-year-old self seeing him as a “miserable failure” for failing to become a sports star.
“You aspire to become a GM … but it’s, you know, it’s a lot of luck. … Things have to happen for you to get one of these jobs, because … there’s so few of them. And I love doing it because I love the people.” [23:10 & 24:02]
- “I didn’t choose to be here because I thought I was going to make a bunch of money. … I wanted to be involved in team sports because I love the competition.” [24:02]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On the O-Line Philosophy:
"The most important room is the offensive line, because if they can’t function at a high level, then it doesn't matter how good your quarterback is..."
— Mickey Loomis (12:26) -
On Draft Board Structure:
“These are the guys that we want. … They fit what we want to bring in the locker room. And that’s why we trade up, not back, generally speaking.”
— Mickey Loomis (27:31, 28:12) -
On Draft Room Food in New Orleans:
“We generally have … a sushi day. … We’ll have Dragos for the oysters, charbroiled oysters … Variety of little Tex Mex … We’re not wanting for calories, ‘cause there’s a lot of sitting around during the draft. … So what do you do? Nervous eating!”
— Mickey Loomis (29:14-29:57) -
On Data and Experience:
“The data can either confirm or contradict what our eyes see. If it confirms it, great. If it contradicts, let’s dig a little deeper.”
— Mickey Loomis (20:22)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Scouting Tyler Shuck’s Journey: 02:06
- Coaching Collaboration in QB Picks: 04:45
- Saints’ Aggressive Draft Philosophy: 06:02
- Supporting a Young QB: 09:01
- O-Line as Foundation: 12:26
- On Measurables & Arm Length for Tackles: 14:57
- Saints’ Running Back Draft History: 17:51
- Evolution in Scouting (Data vs. Fundamentals): 20:22
- Saints’ Unique, Short Draft Board: 26:58-28:12
- Draft Room Food Spread: 29:14-29:57
- Personal Reflections on Career: 23:10, 24:02
Conclusion
Mickey Loomis offered an uncommonly open and detailed walkthrough of the realities of NFL decision-making—from long-term scouting and coaching collaboration, to the importance of conviction (and “aggression”) on draft day, through the necessity of building a strong offensive line to protect a young quarterback. The Saints’ short, high-conviction draft board and “nervous eating” culture on draft day—sushi, oysters, and Tex-Mex—reflect the unique identity Loomis has helped craft. Above all, Loomis’ humility and people-first ethos define his approach:
“I love doing it because I love the people ... they're high achievers, they're smart, they're great people, great teammates...” (24:02)
This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the real work, nuance, and personality behind NFL draft rooms and front offices.