 However, in Stram's first season at the helm, the Saints continued to struggle finishing with a 4–10 record.The Saints made a uniform change before the year, going from a dark gold to old gold, and have retained the color albeit with minor shading changes since.It was also the team's first season wearing black pants, a move which was not unexpected, since Stram outfitted the Kansas City Chiefs in red pants beginning in 1968..

New Orleans' hopes for success was severely diminished before the season began when Stram learned star quarterback Archie Manning would not be able to play at all due to offseason elbow surgery.