2024 is a pivotal year for New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen and quarterback Derek Carr. Both men are looking to turn around a franchise that has not made the playoffs since 2020 and have a 16-18 combined record over the last two seasons.

The one thing about Allen is his strong ability to be a defensive coordinator. Although, he has definitely struggled with his win to loss record as an NFL head coach. He has a 24-46 record or wins .343% of his football games. I give Allen the benefit of the doubt considering the disarray he was given when he was first named the leader of an NFL franchise in 2012 with the then Oakland Raiders. In both 2012 and 2013 Allen’s team registered back-to-back 4-12 seasons. In 2014, the year that they drafted Carr, the Raiders began the season 0-4 and Allen’s contract with the organization was terminated.

After beginning the 2014 season 0-4, the Raiders found some rhythm and hope by winning three games with the late Tony Sparano. The following season Jack Del Rio led the team to a 7-9 record and the team started to find its groove with Carr and the new offensive weapons in Amari Cooper and Latavius Murray, both of whom made the 2015 Pro Bowl.

In 2016, two years after the departure of Allen, Del Rio’s group made the playoffs and finished 12-4. During the time when the Raiders were improving, the New Orleans Saints re-hired Allen to be their senior defensive assistant before promoting him to defensive coordinator in 2015, where he lasted until 2021. During this time period, the Saints’ records were as follow:

• 2016: 7-9
• 2017: 11-5 Playoffs
• 2018: 13-3 Playoffs
• 2019: 13-3 Playoffs
• 2020: 12-4 Playoffs
• 2021: 9-8

After Sean Payton retired and then decided to return to the coaching world with the Denver Broncos, Allen’s two seasons at the helm have compilated with a 16-18 record. His first season in 2022 was a rebuilding year after the departure of long-time franchise quarterback Drew Brees. The expectations were lower and everybody understood how it would be challenging.

Last year, the team acquired Carr and paired him with a few offensive weapons that were sure to make a splash. The results were very lackluster and the team finished with a 9-8 record and did not make the playoffs.

It is now or never for the Saints and their head coach and quarterback combo in Allen and Carr in 2024. If the team fails to make the playoffs, the Carr experiment will be over and he will be sent packing. This offseason I wrote an article about new rookie Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler and how he may be given the keys to the offense in 2025.

The clock is ticking for the Saints. Carr and Allen must find a way to mesh their talents and to elevate this team in 2024. A strong showing in the division and a playoff berth are non-negotiable this upcoming year. Otherwise, significant changes could be on the horizon in New Orleans.