The 2023 New Orleans Breakers season was the New Orleans Breakers' second season in the United States Football League, their second at Protective Stadium, and their first under the head coach/general manager tandem of John DeFilippo and Ryan Jones. For the 2023 season, they improved upon their 6–4 record from the previous season by going 7–3, and lost to the Birmingham Stallions in the USFL South Division Championship Game for the second straight year. This time with the final score being 47–22 in favor of Birmingham.
Offseason
Stadium plans
Shortly before the completion of the 2022 season, the USFL announced plans to move into two or four hubs for teams to play in. In November, the USFL was reportedly exploring options of having a hub in Metro Detroit, with possible locations being the Eastern Michigan Eagles' Rynearson Stadium and the Detroit Lions' Ford Field.
It was announced that the Breakers would be playing their games in Birmingham for the 2nd straight season. They share a hub with their South Division rivals, the Birmingham Stallions.
Draft
The Breakers clinched the fifth overall pick in the 2023 USFL draft and hold the fifth pick in each round.
The draft only included players that were 2023 draft eligible, contrasting with last years' draft which was to build rosters. Also differing from the 2022 draft, players were not initially contracted with the USFL prior to the draft, meaning teams have to negotiate with players to retain their rights. As of February 26, 2023, no player drafted by the New Orleans Breakers has signed a contract with the team.
Additions
Subtractions
Personnel
Final roster
Staff
On September 14, 2022, head coach Larry Fedora stepped down and announced that he would only return if all the USFL teams played in their home markets. The Breakers named John DeFilippo as head coach.
Schedule
Regular Season
Bold indicates divisional opponent.
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Pittsburgh Maulers
The Breakers started their season against the Pittsburgh Maulers. The Maulers started with the ball and pulled off a surprise lateral from Tre Walker to Bailey Gaither to set up Pittsburgh at the New Orleans 41-yard line. The Maulers got their offense started a little before stalling out and taking a 37-yard field goal from Nathan Hierlihy to get the first points of the season. The Breakers got the ball in Pittsburgh territory due to a big return from Johnnie Dixon. The Breakers had their pass game rolling on the first drive, including a 37-yard pass from McLeod Bethel-Thompson to Jonathan Adams. However, a Boogie Roberts sack on 3rd down forced New Orleans to a field goal. On the next drive, Pittsburgh's offense got nothing going and were forced to punt. The punt however, was tipped by a Breaker which set up New Orleans inside the Pittsburgh 35. New Orleans' offense stalled out and the Breakers were again forced to only 3 points. In the 2nd quarter, none of the offenses were able to generate many yards. Reuben Foster of the Maulers forced a fumble off of Anthony Jones to take a 9–6 lead. New Orleans drove down the field with efficiency, but a red zone stand by the Maulers defense forced them to a 3rd field goal of the game. In the 2nd quarter, Breakers punter Matt White would appear to twist his ankle and not be able to return to the game, leading Matt Coghlin to start having to punt.
In the 3rd quarter, New Orleans started with the ball but the Maulers defense tightened up in the red zone again to force another short Matt Coghlin field goal. Pittsburgh's offense stalled out, and the Breakers marched down the field, but got stopped by the Maulers in the red zone again to force a 5th field goal from Matt Coghlin (tying the USFL record). In the 4th quarter, Pittsburgh started with the ball and moved it down the field well, but New Orleans has a goal line stand and forces a turnover on downs. New Orleans drives down the field but is forced to punt at Pittsburgh's 39-yard line. On that Coghlin punt, Maulers returner Isiah Hennie takes the punt 82-yards to the end zone to tie the game at 15. After that, the Breakers drove down the field and scored the only offensive touchdown of the entire game, a 2-yard touchdown pass from McLeod Bethel-Thompson to running back Anthony Jones to make the score 22–15. The Maulers would turn the ball over on downs to end the game.
With the win, New Orleans improved to 1–0 and 2nd place in the South Division. With the loss, the Maulers dropped to 0–1 and 3rd place in the North Division.