Pressure makes diamonds. In the NFL, pressure also makes players and coaches impress or frustrate their front office and fans. Which parts of the New Orleans Saints have the most to lose in 2024? I broke that conversation down.
5 Saints with the most to lose during 2024 NFL season
Cameron Jordan
Jordan is fresh off the worst year of his pro career so far. The veteran dealt with a plethora on injuries, but he would even say that it was a disappointing 2023 for him.
Now, with his buddy Chase Young in the edge rusher room, Jordan could be revitalized. He recruited the young pass rusher to New Orleans during free agency. Jordan clearly believes that they can be a productive duo, along with Carl Granderson, who may be the best of the three right now. Regardless, Jordan has to prove he's still got it as one of the older pass rushers in the NFL.
Blake Grupe
Grupe had a rollercoaster of a rookie year. That's completely normal. The normalcy does not stop doubt from fans, though. Heading into year two, the Saints have Charlie Smyth behind Grupe, battling for the starting role as New Orleans' kicker.
Smyth may have a bigger leg than Grupe, but he's also never had NFL reps during a game. Grupe has. We will see if the young boot can beat out an even younger kicker in Smyth that comes to the Saints from Ireland.
Derek Carr
An obvious choice here. Carr has reportedly impressed during practice leading up to 2024 training camp, but he must find a new sense of consistency in order for New Orleans to be successful on offense this year.
The offensive line may have some bumps and bruises along the way, so Carr and new OC Klint Kubiak must combine to find explosive plays with some unique receiving talent. Carr's success may determine the job stability of Dennis Allen, too.
Dennis Allen
Surprise, surprise. This one is a coach, not a player. It is no secret that Allen is seemingly coaching for his job in New Orleans in 2024, regardless of the confidence instilled in Allen from the front office after last season ended.
If Allen keeps his job, it will probably be following a return to the postseason for New Orleans. The team's ceiling is higher than that, but that needs to be the baseline requirement for a veteran coach who has not proven anything in his tenure around the league as a HC.
Alvin Kamara
Kamara is currently trying to get a reworked deal done with New Orleans. It'd unknown how close the two sides are, but the veteran RB is looking for higher short-term guarantees before he become a free agent. He's reportedly open to a two-year extension, and that could make sense for the Saints as he'd just eclipse thirty years old by the end of it.
Regardless, Kamara struggling after receiving the extension would not be a good look for him. If he plays without a new deal and does not overly impress, the figure he hopes for would almost assuredly have to drop some.
