Since Drew Brees retired, the New Orleans Saints defense has been the team’s main focus and strength. Bleacher Report ranked the Saints as the 11th-best defense in the NFL for the upcoming season, taking into account offseason moves and last year’s performance.
The Saints’ strong defense is a result of their consistent performance since 2017 under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. This reliability is akin to the blind faith fans have in the offense led by head coach Sean Payton. Retaining last year’s defensive core has only increased confidence in the team.
However, there are two concerns with the defense: age and pass rush. Key players like Cameron Jordan, Demario Davis, and Tyrann Mathieu are all 32 years old or older, raising questions about potential decline. Additionally, the pass rush struggled last season, ranking poorly in both pass rush percentage and sacks.
The addition of Chase Young should bolster the pass rush and improve the overall defensive performance. The Saints managed to succeed despite the pass rush issues last season, but it’s not something they should rely on moving forward. The defense is expected to improve with a stronger pass rush, pointing towards a positive trend for the team in the upcoming season.