DENNIS ALLEN

The New Orleans Saints have been relatively small players in free agency this offseason. “As an overall philosophy,” first-year head coach Dennis Allen said, “I’d rather augment our team through free agency and really build our team through the draft.” The Saints have made modest signings in free agency since Allen was promoted from defensive coordinator to replace long-time head coach Sean Payton in January.

Saints Allen Football New Orleans Saints new head coach Dennis Allen speaks during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, in Metairie, La. — (AP) — Newly named New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen asserts that he's “at peace” with being constantly measured against the person he's replacing. “Look, I understand what the expectations are here,” Allen, a longtime Payton assistant, said at his introductory press conference Tuesday. "I was a 39-year-old head coach at that time. Allen left New Orleans in 2011 to become Denver's defensive coordinator before taking the Raiders job one season later.

Newly named New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen asserts that he’s “at peace” with being constantly measured against the person he’s replacing.

NEW ORLEANS — (AP) — The New Orleans Saints have promoted defensive coordinator Dennis Allen to head coach, two people familiar with the decision said Monday. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Saints have not announced their chosen replacement for Sean Payton, who resigned nearly two weeks ago after 16 years with the club. ESPN first reported the Saints' decision to promote from within after the club also had interviewed outside candidates, including former Miami coach Brian Flores, Detroit defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Kansas City offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. He left New Orleans in 2011 to become Denver's defensive coordinator before taking his first and only other head coaching position with Oakland Raiders in 2012. The Saints have ranked in the top seven in the NFL defensively during the past two seasons.

Two people familiar with the decision say the New Orleans Saints have promoted defensive coordinator Dennis Allen to head coach.

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (Alex Brandon)Saints coach Sean Payton tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday and was immediately isolated from the team. Three Saints players — defensive end Cameron Jordan, running back Mark Ingram and receiver Ty Montgomery — did not play against the New York Jets on Sunday because of positive COVID-19 tests. In Week 2 of this season, the Saints were without numerous assistant coaches because of a virus outbreak, but Payton was not among those which tested positive. —Buffalo placed starting left tackle Dion Dawkins on the COVID-19 list, leaving his status uncertain for Sunday against Carolina. The Dolphins had three running backs on the COVID-19 list before Gaskin was cleared.