• Loading stock data...
Saturday, May 31, 2025

Saints Fire Dennis Allen: NFL’s Coaching Carousel Spins Early

The now-former Saints coach was in the third season of a four-year contract.

Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

The 2024 NFL regular season will reach its halfway point Monday night, but the league’s dramatic—and expensive—coaching carousel is already in full swing.

The Saints fired Dennis Allen on Monday, becoming the second team to make a change midseason, following the Jets dismissing Robert Saleh last month. Allen was in the third season of a four-year contract he signed in 2022 after Sean Payton stepped down (before ultimately having his rights traded to the Broncos in 2023). The value of Allen’s deal is unknown, but head coach contracts typically pay at least $3 million or $4 million annually—and New Orleans will likely be on the hook for the remainder of his pay this season and the next one.

Allen was 18–25 as the Saints’ head coach, including this season’s 2–7 start. His last game was Sunday’s 23–22 loss to the Panthers, who had one win on the season coming in.

It’s the first midseason firing for the Saints since the franchise was purchased by Tom Benson in 1985. Gayle Benson has led the team since her husband died in 2018, and longtime EVP and GM Mickey Loomis will continue to run football operations.

Crunching the Numbers

New Orleans named special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi interim head coach, but will in all likelihood hire a new full-time coach after the season. Most pressing for the next leader will be the dire salary cap situation the Saints are in.

The Saints are currently $77 million over a projected $273 million salary cap for the 2025 NFL season—the highest in the league, according to Spotrac. That includes a team-high $51 million cap hit for quarterback Derek Carr, who is in the third season of a four-year, $150 million contract. Defensive end Cam Jordan has a $23.9 million dead cap hit, and it’s very possible he’ll retire before his age-36 campaign considering he’s collected two sacks since the start of the 2023 season.

Belichick Watch?

A second NFL head-coaching vacancy after just nine weeks of the season is a solemn reminder of the job’s high turnover rate. After last season, eight of the league’s 32 teams changed coaches.

Bill Belichick, whose 333 career wins (including playoffs) rank second to the late Don Shula’s 347, could be in line for a new job in 2025, after being fired by the Patriots in January and getting only one interview with the Falcons. The six-time Super Bowl–winning head coach is staying in the spotlight this fall, starring on the ManningCast, The Pat McAfee Show, Inside the NFL, and other media properties.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

MSG Tickets for Potential Pacers-Knicks Game 7 Start at $1,100

The current get-in price for a potential Game 7 is $1,099.

French Open Scheduling Sparks Backlash Over Women’s Time Slots

Coco Gauff has also said the French Open schedule could be improved.

Chiefs, Royals Stadium Plans Hit Political Wall As Both Parties Say No

Both Republicans and Democrats in Missouri oppose public funding for stadiums.

Featured Today

PSG and the City of Paris Can Join European Soccer’s Elite

What a maiden Champions League title would mean for the French club.
May 30, 2025

How the Champions League Anthem Took on a Life of Its Own

The composer didn’t know he wrote a timeless hit three decades ago.
May 25, 2025

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Mar 23, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) reacts after winning a point against Madison Keys (USA)(not pictured) on day six of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 24, 2025

Alex Eala Is Defying Her Country’s Odds to Make French Open History

The Philippines native has overcome a unique set of financial odds.
Oct 26, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) injures left shoulder whilte attempt to steal second base in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees during game two of the 2024 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium.

Yankees-Dodgers Clash Draws TV Spotlight, Sky-High Prices

The teams’ lone regular-season series features three nationally aired games.
May 29, 2025

Panthers Clinch Stanley Cup Final Appearance, Stir Up Dynasty Talk

The Panthers clinched a third-straight trip to the Stanley Cup Final.
Sha'Carri Richardson
May 29, 2025

Sha’Carri Richardson Enters Track Start-Up Fray With Alexis Ohanian

Richardson headlines a group of “advisor owners” with equity in the league.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
May 29, 2025

NCAA Exploring March Madness Expansion to 76 Teams in 2026

NCAA president Charlie Baker said March Madness discussions are ongoing.
Softball
May 29, 2025

MLB Makes Eight-Figure Investment in New Softball League 

Athletes Unlimited and Major League Baseball announced the deal Thursday morning.
May 25, 2025; MONACO; McLaren's Lando Norris celebrates with a trophy on the podium after winning the Monaco Grand Prix alongside third placed McLaren's Oscar Piastri and McLaren chief executive Zak Brown at Circuit de Monaco.
May 28, 2025

F1’s Monaco GP Draws Third-Largest U.S. Audience Amid Track Criticisms

F1 will race in Monaco until at least 2031.
May 28, 2025

Big 12 Men’s Coaches in Favor of Expanding March Madness

Kansas coach Bill Self said the conference supports the idea.