The New Orleans Saints missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season and second consecutive year with head coach Dennis Allen at the helm.
While reports speculated that the team decided to keep Allen weeks ago regardless of the outcome of the season, more rumors have swirled about his future.
When asked about his future with the team, though, Allen said that he expected to return in 2024, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
“That is my expectation, yes,” Allen said.
#Saints coach Dennis Allen is asked, after a 9-8 season, if he expects to be back: "That is my expectation, yes.”
The way they finished, things should be looking up.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 8, 2024
The Saints are one of the most interesting teams in the NFL because of the roster left behind by head coach Sean Payton two years ago.
The team is talented with stars at wide receiver, running back, and along the defense with a quality quarterback in Derek Carr.
But the team hasn’t played consistently since Allen took over for Payton after the 2021 season and failed to win the division despite Tom Brady’s retirement from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the 2022 season.
Even still, it sounds as if ownership is willing to stick it out with Allen again, perhaps because of the two-win progress he made with the team this year after it finished 9-8.
The rest of the division remains completely winnable in 2024 with the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons in search of a new head coach and the Buccaneers unsure of their future with Baker Mayfield at quarterback.
So, for now, the Saints will run it back with Allen and company for next season.
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