ESPN identifies the X factor for the Saints heading into the 2024 season

The New Orleans Saints are about to start an important 2024 season. Of course every team enters the year with goals that define a successful season for their franchise, but it’s extremely important the Saints reach those goals this year. After three straight seasons without a playoff appearance, this is a make-or-break year for the staff and veteran players in the organization.

In order to prevent the front office from blowing everything up, the team needs to make the playoffs and prove to be a serious contender. That’s going to take everyone from coaches to players delivering, but some individuals will be under much more pressure. Every decision head coach Dennis Allen makes will be under a microscope. The same goes for quarterback Derek Carr.

They’re the head coach and quarterback, though, that’s expected. However, neither is considered the X factor for New Orleans in 2024. Ben Solak, in a recent piece for ESPN, named the X factor player for all 32 teams. He determined the key players by asking himself, if a team is surprisingly good or bad, it’s because of which player. For the Saints, Trevor Penning was the answer to that question.

Trevor Penning named X factor for the Saints

This is an answer everyone can get on board with. Starting at right tackle, Penning has been heavily criticized all offseason. Everyone has watched his every move, and come to the conclusion that New Orleans’ season will likely be determined by how he fares.

Solak agrees with that assessment, arguing the Saints offense could be much better than expected if Trevor Penning can deliver.

"With Derek Carr at quarterback, pass protection is of even greater importance than it usually is: Carr is hugely impacted by pressure and will fold late in games when he has been hurried early in them. If Penning benefits from another healthy season, cuts down on the penalties and transitions successfully to the right side -- that's collectively a big ask, mind you -- then we could see a better offense than expected."

- Ben Solak (ESPN)

While this certainly is the case, the confidence level it’ll happen is low among Saints fans. Penning had a rocky preseason, and there’s no reason to believe he will miraculously figure things out overnight. As long as he can at least be average, New Orleans has a chance. If Penning struggles like he has at times throughout his career, the Saints could be starting a rebuild by the trade deadline.

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