In a startling turn of events, the New Orleans Saints have fired head coach Dennis Allen after the team’s dismal 2-7 start to the 2024 NFL season. The decision comes as a surprise to many, given the team’s offseason acquisition of veteran quarterback Derek Carr and the high expectations surrounding the Saints’ potential resurgence.
A Season of Unfulfilled Promises
The Saints began the 2024 season with a promising 2-0 start, posting impressive victories over the Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers. However, the team’s fortunes quickly took a turn for the worse, as they proceeded to lose their next seven games in a row. Despite the offseason signing of Carr, the offense struggled to find consistency, while the once-vaunted defense faltered, allowing an average of 376.4 yards per game.
Injuries and Discontent
While injuries certainly played a role in the Saints’ struggles, with Carr missing three games due to injury, they were not the sole factor. According to a close source within the organization, player discontent began to mount as the losses piled up. Team captain Cameron Jordan and star running back Alvin Kamara reportedly discussed the possibility of holding a players-only meeting to address the team’s woes.
“It’s not always about the head coach. Sometimes it is. … It’s about a lot of different variables,”
Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis, in a radio interview last month
The Final Straw
The breaking point came in Week 9, when the Saints blew a late lead against the Carolina Panthers, a team that entered the game with the worst record in the NFL. Despite Carr’s return from injury, the offense sputtered, and the defense failed to hold off the Panthers’ fourth-quarter surge. The loss dropped the Saints to 2-7, effectively ending any hopes of a playoff berth.
Carr’s Future in Question
With Allen’s dismissal, questions arise about the future of Derek Carr in New Orleans. The veteran quarterback signed a lucrative contract extension upon joining the Saints, tying him to the team through the 2025 season. However, with $30 million of his 2025 base salary guaranteed for injury, the Saints may be forced to reevaluate their commitment to Carr, especially if the team continues to struggle under interim coach Darren Rizzi.
| Derek Carr’s Contract Details |
| 2024 Cap Hit: $51 million |
| 2025 Base Salary Guarantee (Injury): $30 million |
| 2025 Full Guarantee Date: 3rd day of 2025 league year |
A Challenging Road Ahead
As the Saints move forward under interim coach Darren Rizzi, they face an uphill battle to salvage their season. With ESPN’s Football Power Index giving the team a mere 0.5% chance of making the playoffs and a 4.1% chance of securing the No. 1 overall draft pick, the focus may soon shift to the future. The Saints’ roster, one of the oldest in the NFL, is saddled with hefty contracts, making a potential rebuild a daunting task for the next head coach.
- Saints’ odds of making the playoffs: 0.5% (per ESPN’s FPI)
- Saints’ odds of securing the No. 1 overall draft pick: 4.1% (per ESPN’s FPI)
Despite the challenges that lie ahead, the Saints remain a storied franchise with a history of success. With eight double-digit win seasons since 2009 and a passionate fan base, the team’s next head coach will have the opportunity to build upon a strong foundation. However, difficult decisions regarding the roster and salary cap management loom large, as the Saints look to navigate a potentially turbulent transition period.
As the NFL’s coaching carousel continues to spin, the football world eagerly awaits the Saints’ next move. Will they opt for a fresh start with a young, innovative coach, or will they lean on experience to guide them through the challenges ahead? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the road to redemption in New Orleans will be a long and winding one.
