Mickey Loomis, the Saints' general manager, wanted everyone to know who was really responsible for the team's success after Drew Brees retired and Sean Payton stepped away to pursue other jobs. Now, after Loomis picked Dennis Allen and the team ran into the ground, there's no question about it. Payton soundly beating his successor in prime time only illustrates that point.

Before hiring Allen, the teams Loomis built without Payton had a record of 28-36 (a winning percentage of .438). Now, after Allen's 18-25 run, Loomis has a record of 46-61 (.430) when Payton wasn't coaching his team. That doesn't count the 2012 season in which both Payton and Loomis were suspended, but that year's 7-9 finish wouldn't really help his case, either (putting Loomis at 53-70 without Payton, or .431).

Loomis's Tenure Without Payton

Loomis has been the Saints' general manager since 2002, overseeing a period of unprecedented success for the franchise. During Payton's tenure, the Saints won their first Super Bowl title and reached the playoffs multiple times. However, since Payton's departure, the team has struggled to maintain its winning ways.

The Allen Era

The hiring of Dennis Allen as head coach was a controversial one. Allen had a disappointing 8-28 record as the Oakland Raiders' head coach from 2012-2014. Despite this, Loomis saw something in Allen, believing he could be the right man to lead the Saints into the future. However, Allen's first three years as head coach have been marked by inconsistency and a lack of success. The team's 2023 season has been particularly rough, with multiple losses leading to questions about Allen's future with the team.

The Saints' Future

With the Saints struggling on the field, questions are being raised about Loomis's ability to lead the team into the future. Some fans and analysts believe that Loomis has lost his touch and that the team needs a fresh start. Others remain confident in Loomis's ability to make the necessary changes to get the Saints back to their winning ways.

Where Does the Future Lie?

The Saints have struggled in recent years, but Loomis remains a respected figure in the NFL. He has a proven track record of success and has built a strong foundation for the team. However, the team's recent struggles have raised doubts about whether Loomis can continue to lead the Saints to success. Only time will tell whether the Saints can dig themselves out of this hole and whether Loomis is the right man to oversee that job.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Mickey Loomis has a terrible record without Drew Brees and Sean Payton