Bristol, Connecticut — Just three hours after ESPN released its latest Football Power Index rankings heading into Week 3 of the 2026 NFL season, a major controversy erupted and quickly became the focal point of the football world.
In the new table, the New Orleans Saints were ranked No. 6 in the league, reinforcing their status as a rising NFC South name after a 24–17 road win in Baltimore.
That result reflects growing confidence in the team’s development, Kellen Moore’s staff, and a roster built around Tyler Shough, Chris Olave, and Alvin Kamara.
Hours after the rankings went public, though, former NFL MVP and ESPN analyst Cam Newton set off a storm on a live broadcast with a series of unusually blunt remarks.
Newton openly challenged the Saints sitting at No. 6, saying the 1–1 club only belongs at No. 24, and that “even the Baltimore game isn’t enough to climb out of the bottom half of the board.”
“I’ve watched this league long enough to understand what real respect looks like and what being overhyped looks like. The Saints haven’t proven they belong in that top tier yet.”
“Putting them at No. 6 right now? That just doesn’t make sense. To me they’re around No. 24. One comeback win in Baltimore doesn’t turn them into a top-six team.”
The comments spread across social media immediately and triggered a sharp debate among NFL fans heading into Sunday’s home game against the Raiders.
Some viewers agreed with Newton, arguing New Orleans still has unanswered questions after only two games and should not be called a real contender.
Others, especially Who Dat fans, saw dragging the Saints from No. 6 to No. 24 as crossing from professional analysis into outright disrespect.
The situation escalated quickly when internal sources said ESPN leadership held an emergency meeting to weigh the damage to the network’s reputation.
According to multiple reports, ESPN President James Pitaro took part in the review himself and made the final call.
Within hours, ESPN reportedly suspended Newton indefinitely from all NFL-related programming.
An internal statement indicated his comments failed to meet the network’s standards of professionalism and respect.
“We deeply regret the unacceptable remarks made on air that impacted the perception of the New Orleans Saints. He has been immediately suspended pending the outcome of an internal review.”
“ESPN holds everyone to the highest standards, without exception.”
Inside the Saints organization, players and coaches are said to be taking notice while the team still prepares for Week 3 in New Orleans.
There has been no official response, but being called a No. 24 team is believed to have added extra motivation before kickoff against the Raiders.
Under current leadership, New Orleans is still listed at No. 6 in the FPI and viewed as a rising force in the NFC South.
The episode also shows how much predictive rankings like the FPI now shape media storylines and fan perception in September.
In today’s NFL, one opinion from a high-profile voice can set off a league-wide reaction in a matter of hours.
While the Saints remain in the FPI’s top group, Cam Newton dropping them to No. 24 quickly became the midweek story that stuck.
And with ESPN’s hard line, this moment may be remembered as one of the most dramatic media fights of Week 3.
