What does Dennis Allen's release mean for Saints' Derek Carr?

METAIRIE, La. — New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis made it clear that he is in coach Dennis Allen's corner — first in a season-ending press conference in January, then in an interview last month, and even in Loomis' farewell statement after Allen will be on Dismissed on Monday.

Loomis referred to the “avalanche of injuries” in a statement released by the team and said it was a disappointing day. Less than a month ago, when the Saints were 2-4, Loomis also used the phrase “avalanche of injuries” in a radio interview, saying, “It’s not always about the head coach. Sometimes it is. … It's a lot of different variables.

So why did a team reluctant to make big changes ultimately move on from Allen?

After the team's 2-0 start, things quickly turned sour and players began expressing discontent last week after their sixth straight loss, with team captain Cameron Jordan and running back Alvin Kamara mentioning the possibility of a players-only meeting.

There still seemed to be hope that the Saints could turn the season around, as quarterback Derek Carr returned from injury in Week 9. But as the game began, the last straw was the Carolina Panthers' late lead against a team with the worst record in the NFL.

ESPN's Football Power Index now gives the Saints a better chance of finishing No. 1 (4.1%) than making the playoffs (0.5%). New Orleans is one of nine teams with two wins and has a 38.2% chance of finishing in the top five.

The Saints will now continue with interim coach Darren Rizzi and try to finish the season better. Here's a deeper look at what Allen's firing means to the team. —Katherine Terrell

How did New Orleans get here after a 2-0 start in which they put up 91 points?

The Saints seemed virtually unstoppable after two games, but wins over the Dallas Cowboys and Panthers (who have won five games combined) don't look nearly as impressive now. The opponents quickly recognized the Saints' offense and it got worse every week.

First they lost close games against the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons and were simply outclassed against the Kansas City Chiefs. Injuries played a big role, especially because the Saints had to use a rookie quarterback for three weeks, but that wasn't the whole story.

The Saints continually made the same mistakes and their defense, which allowed the seventh-fewest yards per game (273) through the first two weeks, became a liability, ranking 28th (376.4). The Panthers' loss on Sunday was more of the same – a shaky defense, a struggling offense and mistakes at critical moments. — Terrell

What does this mean for Carr?

The Saints have already had a three-game look at rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler, and Carr is under contract for next season. That means the Saints will likely stick with Carr unless they want to see what they have in second-year quarterback Jake Haener, who has had limited playing time this year.

Carr is entitled to at least $10 million next year due to a guaranteed roster bonus, and $30 million of his base salary in 2025 is guaranteed because of injuries. This amount will become fully guaranteed on the third day of the 2025 league year. Allen was the driving force behind signing Carr in 2023, but it won't be easy to move on from him if the Saints decide to hire their next coach.

Carr's $51 million cap hit will need to be addressed in some way next year, so how he and the rest of the team play between now and the end of the season will likely have a big impact on the decision outside have season. —Terrell

Could GM Mickey Loomis lose his job?

Unlikely. Loomis has been with the organization since 2000 and has been executive director since 2002. Loomis was part of owner Gayle Benson's inner circle and worked under her husband Tom Benson until his death in 2018. The only non-owner serving in a similar role is Cincinnati Bengals player personnel director Duke Tobin, who has held the job since 1999.

It's hard to imagine Gayle Benson looking to revamp a front office that has remained largely intact since she took over (with the exception of Terry Fontenot, who took over the Falcons' GM role). While it's possible that Loomis could one day take on a different role and promote someone to general manager, it's hard to imagine him leaving the company unless he chooses to retire. — Terrell

How enticing will the New Orleans job be in the offseason? What names would you expect for the position?

This is a mid-range opening at best. The Saints have one of the oldest rosters in the NFL, with several key players on bloated contracts. Many positions on both sides of the ball appear to be unsettled in the long term, including quarterback. The squad probably needs to be demolished. However, there is a precedent for consistent winning that shouldn't be ignored. New Orleans has 76 wins since 2017 and eight double-digit win seasons since 2009.

While much of that success can be attributed to Sean Payton and Drew Brees, the Saints' winning culture will not be affected by a failed stopgap hire. Fans and media love to complain about the Saints' cap projections — and yes, starting $77 million over the cap through 2025 is discouraging — but New Orleans has managed cap surplus for two decades. The Saints could be in for an awkward year or two if they decide to go younger, but the cap is malleable and subject to the will of assistant GM/vice president of football operations Khai Harley.

As far as candidates go, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn would fit the bill – he's a Bill Parcells/Payton disciple who got his coaching credentials in New Orleans before leading Detroit to a top-five defense. And his running mate in Detroit, Ben Johnson, is one of many qualified, offensive-minded coaches, on a list that also includes Houston Texans OC Bobby Slowik and Baltimore Ravens OC Todd Monken. —Jeremy Fowler