Until the New Orleans Saints put together a playoff season, the national sentiment will remain the team is trying to keep open a window that is already closed. Even a playoff berth may not be enough to dispel this thought.
New Orleans was one of the six teams Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine laid out who need to tank this season. Ballentine pointed out the Saints have handled the cap in a way that suggests they are a Super Bowl contender when they’re far from it.
Tanking in 2024 could give the team the reset they could need right now. With a high draft pick, the Saints could select the future of the franchise at quarterback. They haven’t had that guy since Drew Brees signed in 2006. Even if Derek Carr performs well in 2024, he is too old to be considered the future.
Dennis Allen’s job security should keep the Saints from tanking. Allen’s tenure as the Saints head coach hasn’t been good, and he should be coaching for his job in 2024. Coaching for your job and tanking for next year mix as well as oil and water.
If the Saints have a horrendous record next year, it shouldn’t be because of a purposeful decision to prioritize a high draft pick in 2025.