Saints May Bench 8-Time Pro Bowl Leader as Playoff Hopes Fade
The New Orleans Saints have experienced a tumultuous season. After starting 2024 with two dominant victories, where the offense scored over 44 points in each win and the defense kept opponents under 20, the team then lost six of their next seven games, leading to major changes within the organization.
Head coach Dennis Allen was fired and replaced by special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi as interim head coach. This change sparked an immediate improvement, as the Saints won their next two games under Rizzi’s leadership. However, their playoff hopes took a major hit with a loss to the Rams, marking their last realistic chance to get back into the divisional race.
Currently sitting at 4-8, New Orleans is ranked 13th in the playoff standings, with their best chance at the postseason coming through winning the NFC South. With both the Falcons and Buccaneers tied at 6-6, the Saints have less than a one percent chance of making the playoffs. Week 14 features key NFC South matchups, but it would take a miracle for the Saints to play in January.
Looking ahead, the Saints have significant decisions to make this offseason, especially regarding their future head coach. Rizzi has been mentioned as a potential candidate, with support from the locker room, but the roster may undergo significant changes in 2025, opening up the possibility for other qualified candidates. Additionally, the team must decide the future of QB Derek Carr, who has been inconsistent since joining the Saints.
According to Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report, the Saints should consider making a bold move now to focus on the future, which could involve benching one of their long-time leaders, 8-time Pro Bowl defensive end Cameron Jordan. The 35-year-old Jordan has been with the team since being drafted in 2011, but he is no longer the dominant player he once was. With the Saints unlikely to make the playoffs, Ballentine suggests the team should prioritize giving younger players like Payton Turner and Isaiah Foskey more playing time to gain experience for the future.
While Jordan’s leadership and legacy with the team are undeniable, the Saints could be headed for a rebuild, and giving younger players more reps might be a strategic move as they prepare for 2025. It will be intriguing to see if New Orleans decides to bench the veteran to allow for the development of their younger talent.
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