With Summer in full swing and NFL Training Camps kicking off, it’s time to examine which Head Coaches will be feeling the heat entering the 2024 season.
Dennis Allen: New Orleans Saints
- Hired: 2022
- Overall Saints Record: 16 – 18 (.471%)
- Playoff Record: N/A
- 2024 O/U Win Total: 7.5
Head Coaching History
The internal replacement at the conclusion of the Sean Payton era finds himself entering year 3 on the job without a playoff appearance on his resume. 2024 should tell us a great deal about Allen’s future as one the league’s 32 Head Coaches. Already on his second chance leading a program, the Saints were willing to overlook a disastrous 8-28 record in Oakland that saw him hit unemployment just a month into his 3rd season on the job back in 2014. A season of poor, or even average results, would likely close the door on Allen’s time on the Bayou and make a 3rd opportunity a pipe dream.
2024 Outlook - Offense
No team has represented NFL mediocrity quite like the Saints since Drew Brees walked away. Sporting a 25-26 record over the past 3 seasons, the franchise is firmly stuck in the middle. What better QB to lead the way for such a team than Derek Carr. Not great, not bad, but not inspiring either. The passing game will likely continue to run through 3rd year WR, Chris Olave, and an aging Alvin Kamara, who’s 5.8 receptions per game were the most among all RBs a season ago. That’s the good news for this offense. The Bad? The offensive line, of course. Ranked 32nd by Pro Football Focus, there is reason to believe that Carr could be running for his life in a fashion similar to his brother, David, was 2 decades ago. With 3-time All-Pro, Ryan Ramczyk, likely to miss the entire season, this unit needs rookie 1st round draft pick, Taliese, Fuaga, to be up for the challenge from day 1.
2024 Outlook – Defense
If this team has had anything going for it during Allen’s tenure, it’s been the Defense. The team has finished in the top 10 in points per game allowed during each of his 2 seasons at the helm, including a top 5 finish last season. The Front Office infused some youth into this side of the ball in free agency, adding DE Chase Young & LB, Willie Gay. That may be enough in a lack luster NFC South that saw none of the Saints’ divisional opponents finish in the top half of the league in points per game in 2023. Despite last season’s results, the defensive minded Allen will have to be up to the task yet again if this team is going to take the next step and secure a post-season berth.
Sunday Surefire Prediction
2024 Record: 8-9
Playoffs: No
While that mark was good enough to win this division as recently as 2022, it won’t be enough for New Orleans in 2024. The trend of mediocrity continues, and the Saints will miss out on the playoffs once again. Allen has enough good will built up after 15 years with the team to avoid the embarrassment of being let go in-season (for a second time) but this will be his final year as Head Coach and the organization will enter a much needed rebuild following the 2024 campaign.
