The New Orleans Saints had a rough 2021 campaign as they missed out on a last-gasp bid to secure a playoff spot. After tallying a 9-8 record, they will now head to a busy offseason where a ton of moves are expected to be made by the front office.

However, it won't be easy as the Saints have to shed off millions in order to clear cap space before they can make any changes to their roster. With Tom Brady's retirement, the NFC South is now up for grabs which further increases the Saints' chances to reign supreme in the division once again.

Still, the team needs to fill the many holes in their lineup first in order to get stronger and be in a better position to win more games next season. With that said, let's take a look at four major fixes the Saints must make in order to make the NFL Playoffs in 2022.

4 fixes the Saints must make in the offseason

4. Retain key veterans

The Saints have a handful of key players on both sides of the ball who are expected to enter free agency in the offseason. Among those names, the team must first target left tackle Terron Armstead who has been a steady anchor of New Orleans' offensive line.

Another talent that needs to be prioritized is defensive back Marcus Williams who just had the best season of his five-year career. The Saints must also make a decision on their QB spot as gunslinger Jameis Winston is now bound to become a free agent after playing out his one-year contract.

Surely, continuity is a must for any team that is aspiring to play in the postseason and the front office must ensure that key veterans will still be at the helm moving forward.

3. Rehaul the wide receiver unit 

The Saints previously had an All-Pro talent on their side in Michael Thomas but he hasn't seen action for the most part of the last two seasons. They haven't really gotten significant production from any of their wide receivers amid his absence, save for running back Alvin Kamara who also moonlighted as a pass-catcher for the Saints.

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With the team being tied to an ugly cap space situation, New Orleans might have to shop its WR1 in order to save money or get assets in return. If no trade materializes and the front office gets to cut him after June 1 then the team can save an extra $16 million.

As a result, the Saints can opt to bring in a reliable starter like Allen Robinson or Odell Beckham Jr. who can be a major threat on the field. Successfully doing so will certainly allow the team to have a more dynamic offensive attack in 2022.

2. Explore options at QB

It is safe to say that Winston has done a respectable job as a starter for the Saints until he sustained a season-ending torn ACL midway through the campaign. Given his production when he's healthy, he certainly deserves a second look to continue being the team's QB1 for the foreseeable future.

With his injury situation in 2021, New Orleans might be able to bring him back on another short-term, bargain deal to stay on the team. However, the Saints shouldn't settle on Winston alone as they can look to nab another veteran playmaker in free agency.

They also currently possess the 18th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft which they can use to select a young prospect who can potentially vie for the top quarterback spot. Ultimately, the Saints must increase the competition in their QB room in a bid to bring the best out of their playmakers on the field.

1. Hire the right head coach

The sudden retirement of longtime head coach Sean Payton concluded the roller-coaster season of the Saints in 2021. The veteran tactician was at the helm for 16 years and steered the team to a title victory in Super Bowl XLIV.

Surely enough, Payton's vast coaching experience and contributions to the team will be hard to replace but the Saints will have to move on and find his successor soon. With several teams interviewing candidates left and right, the team's brass must quickly make their decision on who to include in their hiring process sooner than later.

Needless to say, the coach that will be hired by the Saints will have a crucial role to play in determining the level of success that they will attain moving forward. Hopefully, they will be able to find someone who is a good fit for the team and can best maximize the abilities of their players on the field.