METAIRIE, La. — Amid growing speculation and frustration from fans, New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen addressed mounting concerns about the team’s recent performances during a press conference Wednesday morning, vehemently denying any accusations of tanking.
“No, absolutely not,” Allen said, when asked directly if the Saints were intentionally underperforming to improve their draft positioning. “This isn’t tanking — it’s a forward-thinking, strategic recalibration of our long-term roster management objectives.”
The Saints, who currently sit at the bottom of the NFC South with a 3-10 record, have looked increasingly disjointed in recent weeks. Turnovers, missed tackles, and questionable play-calling have led many to wonder whether the team’s front office has its sights set more on April than January. Allen, however, insists there’s a plan — even if the results aren’t pretty.
“You see mistakes,” Allen said. “I see learning opportunities. You see a missed third-down conversion — I see a teachable moment that might secure us a top-five pick. I mean, improved performance later.”
Asked whether the team’s fourth-quarter collapse against the Falcons last week — which included a fake punt on 4th and 23 from their own 12-yard line — was part of this “strategy,” Allen nodded solemnly.
“Sometimes, unconventional decisions help you discover the depth of your roster,” he explained. “And yes, sometimes that means giving your punter a chance to throw. We’re building character.”
The team’s fanbase, however, hasn’t been quite so understanding. Social media has erupted with criticism, and the phrase “Allen Out” has trended locally for three consecutive weekends. Still, the Saints’ leadership seems unfazed.
“We’re laying a foundation here,” said General Manager Mickey Loomis in a joint interview. “You can’t just slap duct tape on an aging roster and hope for the best. Sometimes, you need to burn the playbook to write a better one — metaphorically speaking.”
But some players have seemed confused by the approach. Veteran defensive end Cameron Jordan was seen shaking his head during Sunday’s postgame press scrum, muttering, “I didn’t come back for this,” under his breath. Wide receiver Chris Olave, on the other hand, took a more optimistic tone.
“We’re just trusting the process,” Olave said. “Coach says we’re not losing, we’re learning. So I guess we’re the most educated team in the league right now.”
Meanwhile, fans have begun to adjust expectations. Season ticket holder Lauren Duchesne, a lifelong Saints supporter, summed it up bluntly: “I’ve accepted it. We’re not playing for the playoffs — we’re playing for potential. That’s what I keep telling myself.”
Still, Allen remains steadfast in his belief that this season’s struggles are part of a longer journey back to relevance.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day,” he said. “And neither was a playoff-caliber team. But you can draft one piece at a time — and sometimes, that starts with 3-14.”
He paused.
“Or maybe 4-13, if we tighten up the red zone defense.”
Until then, Saints fans may have to endure a few more “strategic losses” — all in the name of long-term vision.
