Two games are left in the Saints regular season, and while they aren’t out of things until they are officially eliminated, the reality is that there should be some really big future conversations in New Orleans coming. It might feel like those should have taken place already, and maybe if the team was out of it they would have intensified, but we will just have to stay patient in the meantime.

Again, this won’t happen until after the season, but a lot of things ought to be discussed.Most likely, expecting drastic change is unreal. But first, let’s examine some of the events that have occurred in 2023 for New Orleans and speculate about what might be in store for Dennis Allen and company going forward.

Interesting fact: Out of the eight games the Saints have lost this season, they have only led once. This is merely a synopsis of the ideas and factors that contributed to their defeat in the games.

• Week 3 (at Packers): Blown lead, missed Blake Grupe field goal
• Week 4 (vs. Bucs): Slow start, offensive ineptitude, red zone issues, Baker Mayfield
• Week 6 (at Texans): Trailed at the half, red zone issues, failed to deliver late
• Week 7 (vs. Jaguars): Slow start, rally late to tie, missed catch at the end of the game (shouldn’t have came down to that)
• Week 10 (at Vikings): Slow start, dug big hole, rally late, defense lost itself to Josh Dobbs
• Week 12 (at Falcons): Slow start, red zone turnovers, can’t get a final stop to position yourself for a chance
• Week 13 (vs. Lions): Slow start, dug big hole, rally late
• Week 16 (at Rams): Slow start, dug big hole, rally late, defense falls off

The common themes from these losses are pretty telling:

1. Inconsistency/Lack of Execution
2. Lack of Complementary Football
3. Slow Starts
4. Dig Big Holes Early
5. Have to Rally From Behind

The first half of the Saints’ eight losses this season has seen them outscored 127-62. They have only led in one (the Packers), and in two of those (the Texans and the Packers), they have scored double digits. What other conclusion would you draw if that doesn’t suggest appropriate coaching, game strategy, and a host of other things?

• General Manager (<5%) – Though Mickey Loomis is starting to face more criticism these days, I don’t think the Saints will make much progress in this regard. Loomis will keep doing this until he stops, but after what seems to be a three-year absence, I think New Orleans needs to win in order to make the playoffs. If anything, the Chargers’ open position might be associated with the name Jeff Ireland.
• Head Coach (20%) – There doesn’t seem to be much evidence that the Saints will let Dennis Allen go until he loses the final two games and they are really bad. Though I don’t think New Orleans will pull the trigger here, missing the postseason with this squad is definitely not the expectation and should spark such discussions. To be honest, I’ve never felt as though they’re prepared to go on. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network also made a suggestion about this on Friday.
• Offensive Coordinator (75%) – It feels like fresh blood and ideas need to be in the mix for the Saints offense. They just don’t seem to be adapting in a way that the rest of the league is. If you want change and see consistency, a fresh perspective might be the best approach. If it’s in-house with someone like Ronald Curry, then that trigger needs to be pulled fast.
• Offensive Staff Changes (80%) – Sticking with the previous theme, Derek Carr is most assuredly going to be the quarterback in 2024, and if that’s the case then New Orleans needs to get him the perfect pairing. If that means bringing in someone like Jon Gruden, then make the decision and handle the optics. Doug Marrone might be the only other person that you could think of changing. They desperately need to find someone to help Trevor Penning.
• Defensive Staff Changes (60%) – If Allen isn’t retained, then this could get a big makeover. I would expect someone like linebackers coach Michael Hodges to draw a lot of interest in the offseason, but essentially the entire defensive coaching staff consists of guys that were just brought in during the offseason. I don’t know that many faces will change.

The truth about this team’s composition is that it’s very possible that this group will return in 2024. While certain components may change slightly, New Orleans will continue to operate in the same manner. Become competitive by getting under the cap, retooling, and hoping to hit on some picks. They can’t tear this thing down and start over because they are getting older. It’s not feasible financially.

The team is going to have to figure out what to do with players like Andrus Peat and Michael Thomas. Peat’s resurgence at left tackle has been one of the bigger developments of the season, but what hurts in the same aspect is how Trevor Penning can’t even crack jumbo sets. As for Thomas, that feels like that’s up in the air. There’s not a ton of high-profile free agents that will hit the market for New Orleans, but some that are going to be in for a bigger bump.

When you look at the recent draft class, there’s optimism from what you got in Bryan Bresee, Jordan Howden and A.T. Perry. You can even go a step further in some of the undrafted rookies who the Saints really feel good about. However, the issue is that most all of your Day 2 picks (Isaiah Foskey, Kendre Miller, Nick Saldiveri) have made little to no impact this season. Not really having mid-round picks this season (unless compensatory picks hit) will also make it difficult. They don’t have anything in Rounds 3 and 4 right now.

Looking Ahead to 2024

To be honest, New Orleans’s 2019 schedule includes some pretty formidable opponents. The Chiefs, Cowboys, Eagles, and obviously a significant homecoming for Sean Payton with the Broncos

are among them. Which NFC North opponent the Saints travel against and which NFC West and AFC North teams they host will depend on how the team finishes in the division. Yes, they receive an additional home game as well, provided the league doesn’t focus on growing its membership abroad.

Strong and foundational coaching is what will be needed to beat some of these opponents, and they still have their divisional foes to face off against and other teams like the Giants, Commanders, Raiders and Chargers to play.

To put it mildly, New Orleans needs to get this thing right. With the core group of veterans you have, you’re basically going to be in your last window, and you never know what additional movements could happen to really shake things up. In due course, nothing would surprise me. The Drew Brees-Sean Payton era is long gone, and the Saints have not produced quality football for three seasons in a row.

The Saints have been their own worst enemy, much like this season. If they want to turn this around, they’re going to have to buck that trend pretty quickly, but given what’s ahead, it looks like a very big assignment.