NFL Rumors: Why the New Orleans Saints Won’t Blow It Up Despite Disastrous Situation
The New Orleans Saints find themselves in a precarious position midway through the 2024 NFL season. With an underperforming offense, inconsistent play from key players, and mounting questions surrounding head coach Dennis Allen’s future, the team seems to be on the verge of a disastrous season. Despite all the turmoil, however, rumors suggest that the Saints are unlikely to blow things up or undergo a full rebuild, even if their 2024 campaign doesn’t turn around.
The Saints, who were expected to contend for an NFC playoff spot this season, currently sit at an unremarkable 3-5 record, hovering at the bottom of the NFC South standings. Offensive struggles have been a consistent theme, with quarterback Derek Carr failing to live up to expectations and the offensive line struggling with protection. Meanwhile, injuries to key players like Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas have only added to the sense of uncertainty. Yet, despite all these obstacles, there are several key reasons why the Saints are unlikely to make drastic moves, such as trading away assets, firing their coach, or going into a full-scale rebuild.
### 1. **Financial Commitments to Key Players**
One of the major reasons the Saints won’t “blow it up” is the significant financial commitments they’ve made to their roster. The team is currently dealing with one of the more challenging salary cap situations in the NFL, largely due to long-term deals given to veterans like Derek Carr, Alvin Kamara, and defensive stars such as Cameron Jordan and Marshon Lattimore.
In particular, Carr’s contract—signed in the offseason—binds the Saints to him through 2025. The team would incur a massive dead cap hit if they were to part ways with the quarterback before then, making it unlikely they would abandon their plan at the most critical position. Kamara, despite his injury-riddled season, remains one of the most dynamic playmakers in the league, and moving on from him would be both financially unfeasible and a tough decision for a franchise that has historically built around him.
The Saints’ salary cap situation makes a rebuild more difficult, as they are financially strapped, and cutting bait with several high-paid veterans would only put them in an even worse position financially.
### 2. **Long-Term Commitment to Dennis Allen**
While there has been increasing scrutiny on Dennis Allen’s performance as head coach, especially after a lackluster showing in his second season at the helm, the Saints are unlikely to part ways with him midseason. Allen, who took over as head coach after Sean Payton’s departure, was given a multi-year contract extension in 2023. Despite his struggles—particularly on the offensive side of the ball—the front office is still committed to seeing through the rebuild they have built around Allen.
Owner Gayle Benson and the front office have a long-term vision for the team, and they likely want to see that vision through before making any hasty decisions. Allen’s defensive pedigree still gives him some job security, as the Saints’ defense remains one of the stronger units in the NFL. Additionally, the team has invested in a solid defensive core, and there’s belief that Allen can eventually get things right on the offensive side of the ball, given more time and development.
### 3. **The NFC South’s Weakness**
Despite their own struggles, the Saints are still very much alive in the NFC South race. The division has been one of the weakest in the league this season, with every team underperforming in their own right. The Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Carolina Panthers all have their own issues, and no team has established dominance in the division. This gives the Saints hope that, even if their offense continues to struggle, they could still find themselves in the playoff hunt by simply staying competitive within the division.
For the Saints, that means they still have a path to success this season without completely tearing down the roster. The NFC South has often been a division where teams have been able to get hot late in the season and secure a playoff spot despite early-season struggles. The Saints will likely stay in the race, making it less likely they will choose to blow things up in the immediate future.
### 4. **Looming Draft Class and Future Flexibility**
The Saints are likely aware that they are not far from being able to reset the roster without committing to a full rebuild. With a promising draft class on the horizon and some cap space likely freeing up in the next couple of years, New Orleans could start to shift focus on acquiring younger talent. The team can still be competitive, while beginning to transition toward building for the future.
In the coming offseason, the Saints could use their draft picks and cap space more effectively, targeting positions that need improvement, such as wide receiver and offensive line. They could also explore restructuring contracts for veterans like Carr or Jordan, to free up additional space to address needs.
### Conclusion
Despite a difficult 2024 season, the New Orleans Saints are unlikely to make drastic moves that would signal a full-scale rebuild. Financial commitments, a long-term commitment to Dennis Allen, and the weakness of the NFC South all contribute to the team’s desire to remain competitive and stay the course. While changes may come in the future, especially if the current trajectory continues, for now, the Saints are holding steady and hoping that their struggles are merely a temporary setback.
