In the case of New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson, her actions last week spoke louder than her words.
A few days after surprising many with pointed comments about the state of the Saints, Benson made an even more surprising appearance at Friday's practice to embrace coach Kellen Moore and offer an endorsement. Her message, according to those who know: Benson supports Moore and the coaching staff, and the indication is that no change is imminent.
That said, Benson's comments to the Greater New Orleans Quarterback Club also rang true: "Words will not restore our fans' confidence. Our performance must do that."
In other words, the Saints need to win.
Benson's comments appeared aimed at making sure the fans know she hears them, knows the team must be better and is committed to making sure of it. But her public display of confidence in the coaches Friday suggests she feels this staff can be the ones to do it.
After a promising start to the season, the Saints (1-4) have dropped three straight games. New Orleans' defense enters Sunday ranked 25th in the NFL and has allowed 30.2 points per game, the second most in the league. Second-year quarterback Tyler Shough and the offense have committed eight turnovers during the three-game skid, and the Saints have struggled for offensive balance without a consistent running game.
Throw in the fact that rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, the Saints' first-round draft pick, hasn't played because of a hamstring injury and big-ticket free agent running back Travis Etienne and promising left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. are both on injured reserve, and it has been a struggle.
Moore is only in Year 2 of his coaching tenure, but expectations were greatly elevated after a strong finish to Year 1. New Orleans was widely viewed as a team that could make some noise this season.
Benson spoke out Tuesday, telling fans she understood their frustration -- and that wins must come.
"We are 1-4, and that is not acceptable to me and falls short of what our fans truly deserve," Benson said. "I hear the frustration toward our team and our organization. It is not lost on me. Our fans invest their time, their money and their hearts in the Saints. They are right to expect more than we have delivered."
The Saints went 6-11 last season in their first year under Moore but won five of their last eight games, leading to widespread optimism. General manager Mickey Loomis said in January that the Saints "don't just want to win the division" in 2026.
"We don't want to be an 8-9 winning team in the division," Loomis said at the time. "We want to win the division, be dominant and have a chance to make a run for the playoffs. That's what our goal is going to be."