The New Orleans Saints entered the 2023 NFL season with one of the weakest schedules in football, leading many to believe the team could reach double-digit wins and finish atop the NFC South. As a disappointing season draws to a close, it appears the fates of Derek Carr and Dennis Allen have been determined.
Allen, age 51, was promoted from defensive coordinator (2015-2021) to Saints’ head coach after Sean Payton resigned following the 2021 season. New Orleans wanted Allen’s coaching experience at the helm, with his familiarity with the team and defensive coaching prowess helping him land the job.
- Dennis Allen coaching record: 23-46 career, 14-18 with the New Orleans Saints
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After going 7-10 in 2022, missing the playoffs and finishing third in the NFC South, New Orleans made a change. It parted ways with quarterback Andy Dalton, signing Carr to a lucrative contract to be the new face of the Saints’ offense. However, Carr hasn’t met expectations this year.
With New Orleans on the verge of being eliminated from playoff contention and fans growing increasingly frustrated with the underwhelming results from Allen and Carr, it appears the franchise has made a decision on their futures.
According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, the Saints are expected to retain Allen as their head coach in 2024 with Carr returning for his second season as the team’s starting quarterback.
It’s not a surprise that New Orleans is keeping Carr, considering what it would take to move him. When the Saints signed Carr, they included a no-trade clause in his contract and either releasing or trading him would leave a massive cap hit on the Saints’ books.
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Despite Allen having one of the worst NFL coaching records through five seasons, New Orleans evidently isn’t ready to move on from him. However, there will reportedly be one change to the Saints’ coaching staff for the 2024 season.
Jones shared there’s a belief that Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael will be relieved of his duties. With the team since 2016 and later becoming the Saints’ play-caller in 2022 after Payton’s departure, Carmichael seems like the proverbial head that will roll for the poor showing this year.
