The faker's guide to the New Orleans Saints' 2024 season
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Dennis Allen enters his third season as head coach in New Orleans this year. Photo: Chris Graythen/Getty Images
It's been 243 days since the New Orleans Saints played their final game of the 2023 season.
Why it matters: A lot can happen during the offseason, but we're catching you up in time for the Saints' regular season start at home against the Panthers on Sunday.
State of play: The Saints went 9-8 last year, falling short of the playoffs for the third year in a row, including both of head coach Dennis Allen's two years leading the team.
Translation? It's a make or break year for Allen.
- As NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune columnist Rod Walker noted, if the team fails to make it to the playoffs again, this would be the first time fans have faced that kind of stretch since 2001-2005.
- Team leadership has a good track record for backing its guys, but even saints lose patience.
- "Everybody's job is always on the line, in all reality," tight end Juwan Johnson told Walker. "If we aren't doing our job, they are going to try to find a way to push you out. We know what's at stake for ourselves, for [Allen], for the organization."
Between the lines: Allen isn't the only one trying still to win over New Orleans.
- Quarterback Derek Carr has also struggled to find his footing with fans. He's been booed in the Caesars Superdome, he's been lampooned at Mardi Gras and he's been roasted on social media.
- Despite that, as The Times-Picayune's Matt Paras says, Carr remains all in with the team and the city.
What we're watching: The biggest change this offseason came in the form of new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.
- A former Colorado State University player, Kubiak came to New Orleans from San Francisco, but he bounced around a bit before that, with stints in Denver and Minnesota, too.
- Injuries kept Kubiak from seeing some of his plans come together in the preseason, but running back Alvin Kamara says he's still feeling good about what's coming.
- "I think that's what Klint is here for, I think that's what the rest of those guys are here for," Kamara said this week. "That's what's expected, an increase in production."
The bottom line: It was never going to be easy following up the powerhouse dynamic of quarterback Drew Brees and coach Sean Payton, but standards are always high in the NFL.
How to watch: The Saints play the Panthers at the Caesars Superdome on Sunday, Sept. 8.
- Kickoff is at noon, and Fox has the broadcast.
Go deeper: