Juwan Johnson: The Saints really want to win

History will be in the air in New Orleans on Thursday night as the Saints honor Drew Brees and head coach Sean Payton during their game against the Broncos.

Payton's long time with the Saints and the Super Bowl he and Brees won as a team will be much discussed, but it's not the story that most interests Saints tight end Juwan Johnson. Johnson, who played for Brees and Payton after joining the Saints in 2020, is more interested in the recent past.

The Saints have lost four straight after winning their first two games of the season and have been underwhelmed over the past two weeks, making Johnson's desire for a win go far beyond beating his former coach.

“I think Sean is obviously a Hall of Fame coach, he’s a great coach,” Johnson said, via the team’s website. “But on the other hand, he is an opposing coach. He's in our way, whether it's the coach of Tampa Bay or the coach of Denver or whoever the coach is. I think we just have to win. I find we are desperate for a win. Losing five games in a row is something I don't want to say anymore or at all. We have to win. I think the city needs this, we need it even more. So, yeah, we’re desperate.”

The Broncos are also coming off a loss, so both teams will be plenty motivated to get a win on Thursday night in the Superdome.