Jordan, the Saints’ all-time leader in sacks with 117.5, is trying to overcome a down year in which he recorded his lowest sack count (2.0 sacks) since his rookie season, but he played through an injury late in the game and the defense is the undisputed leader. Ranked in the top 10 in scoring for 4 consecutive years.
Even with a $23.2 million cap hit and his age-35 season, it’s hard to imagine an overhaul that would sideline him.
But the Saints are in desperate need of a breakout start. New Orleans is 16-18 in two years under head coach Dennis Allen, with a best record of 9-8 in two of the past three years.
There are hurdles to clear, and with Allen returning and quarterback Derek Carr locking down his second season in the Big Easy, any attempts at change will take place elsewhere. Become.
The end of the season generated this conversation as the Saints missed out on a postseason berth, but the end of the final game also sparked intrigue over the atmosphere in the locker room.
Entering Week 18, New Orleans needs a win against Atlanta and a loss to Tampa Bay to clinch the NFC South title. Instead, the Buccaneers won, and the Saints scored the winning and last-minute touchdown, much to the excitement of Falcons fans.
Already leading 41-17, New Orleans was in victory position with 1:10 remaining and the ball just 1 yard from the end zone. However, backup QB Jameis Winston took the snap and handed it to Jamal Williams for the score. Only TD of the season.
Although then-Falcons head coach Arthur Smith was excited during the postgame handshake, Allen later admitted he wanted to take a knee, and Winston said the decision was made by the players in the huddle. It was revealed that the decision was made.
The whole incident became a springboard for speculation about the Saints’ culture and potential unrest.
A month later, Jordan gave his take on the issue. He supports rewarding Williams’ “great teammate” with diving in the end zone and believes Allen and Winston won’t continue to be unhappy with each other.
Jordan, an eight-time Pro Bowler with more than a decade of experience in NFC South football, didn’t miss a chance to get a shot for the Falcons.
“It’s a real shame because the locker room really enjoys the brotherhood,” he quipped. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry for punishing a rival team. I would do it again. In fact, I would have scored two points. The only difference between me and What I didn’t understand was, ‘No, they were in victory formation.’ “The Kantranta Feircons were already condoning this. They were just trying to deploy it just as the head coach was trying to deploy.”
Jordan added, “Half of my frustration was that Dennis finished saying sorry, and I was like, why would you say sorry? Say you’re sorry for not getting 50 points.” ” he added.
Despite a head coaching change in Atlanta and a possible culture shock in New Orleans, it looks like the rivalry will continue to thrive.
It remains to be seen whether the Saints will be that way in 2024 no matter what happens.