WATCH NOW: Bears’ Allen insists first matchup with Saints since firing is just ‘another game’
WATCH NOW: Bears’ Allen insists first matchup with Saints since firing is just ‘another game’
Is it unusual to you at all to be scouting the Saints this week? Um. Well, look, I mean, really, I spent 15 out of my 24 years in the league, uh, at that place, so obviously I got *** lot of fond memories of being there, um, and yet. It’s, it’s, it’s another game and, and that’s where our focus is this week and, and, uh, I think we got *** good opponent. um, I think this is *** team that as you watch the tape they continue to get better, uh, they’ve got *** lot of, uh, skill position players that I think are, are, you know, really explosive receivers, tight end runners, um, you know, all those guys are good players. Um, I think, you know, offensive line wise, you know, in particular, you know, the, the, the right side of the offensive line, Foa, um, you know, Eric McCoy in there at center, Cesar Ruiz at the right guard, uh, first round pick at, uh, left tackle, you know, moving Trevor Penning inside the guard, you know, another first round pick. So, um, I think this is *** team that’s. Uh, that’s continued to improve in every single one of their games they’ve been in, in every single one of them. So we got *** challenge this week. And people, uh, from the organization, you know, players and coaches reached out to you and so, uh, this is, this is the, this is the NFL, right? Like we’re just, everybody’s trying to win this week. And so, um, you know, I probably wouldn’t try to make anything more of it than, than really what it is. It’s, it’s the next opponent on the schedule. I’m sure they feel the same way and, um. Yeah, we’re excited about the opportunity. Yeah, I look, I think, um. You know, I think our guys did *** really good job of going out and executing the plan and, and really run defense, um, you know, it’s not as complicated as *** lot of people might think it is, uh, you know, it, it gets down to really fundamentals. Um, it gets down to, you know, being able to strike blocks, being able to get off the blocks, linebackers coming downhill, um, secondary guys getting off blocks, keeping the ball inside, all those kinds of things are important and so it really was more about, you know, us playing with our fundamentals and our technique and, and I thought our guys did *** good job of that last week. What’s been key to just stacking up the takeaways? Um, Well, look, the. ***, it, it, it comes from preparation, um, that’s the first thing you’re looking for your opportunities, um, where you have an opportunity to make plays. Uh, you can’t play every play on every play. You have to look for tactical clues that tell you where your opportunities might come to make *** play, and then when, when those opportunities present themselves, you gotta be able to take advantage of it. You have to create population around the ball. Um, it’s hard to take the ball away if you don’t have guys around it, so. Um, it’s just, it’s things that we, we talk about each and every week. It’s ***, uh, you know, *** big focus for us in terms of taking the ball away. I think it’s, um, you know, one of the big, you know, determining factors in winning and losing ball games is, uh, the turnover takeaway ratio and so, um, you know, that’s, that’s probably been what we’ve done best. Um, and we need to continue to do that on that first on the recovery on Monday night. What did you see both in the ability of of Tez to get it loose and then the number of guys you had going out, um, yeah, I, I think, um. You know, Obviously the other night, you know, um, the conditions I think kind of help for, you know, some of the ball security issues, um, but you know it’s one of those things where you’re look, that’s how the ball comes out in our league. The ball comes out with top down punch outs, um, and so when you have *** lot of guys. Swarming the ball, you know, *** lot of times these ball carriers start worrying about and more concerned about the guys that are trying to tackle them and so they lose *** little bit of focus on protecting the football, um, and that’s when they’re vulnerable to, uh, to giving it up to us. Well, you remember the most about your time in New Orleans? Oh man, look again, I, I mean 15 years there, *** lot of good experiences, uh, *** lot of good people, uh, *** lot of wins. We were, we were part of *** lot of, uh, *** lot of success there. So, um, I got fond memories of it, but you know, again, like I said, uh, I think this week is really all about let’s focus on the football is this gonna be, this is gonna be about. The, the, the, the players on the field, Bears versus the Saints, uh, those guys will really determine the outcome of the game. Person me, I have to try it, but what do you think ultimately went wrong and kind of your tender, look, I, I mean, I appreciate the question. I don’t think I’m gonna go there. Let’s just, you know, let’s focus on what we got going on now. Coach, what do you see *** season like for you there just coming off of Katrina and things like that. Yeah, look, I mean, I, like I said, there was *** lot of good memories that I have there. We were part of *** lot of wins, uh, going to the NFC championship game that year, but, you know, I think, I think really what we need to be focused on right now is. You know what do we have to do to try to win this game and, and I think that’s where all of our focus is. So when you look at these turnovers, and I know they tend to come in bunches, but they’re not, let’s call them. That’s what I was getting to. I really was not all the same, right? Some of them are turnovers where like the last one, that was *** turnover. You did got you guys had population the Shaw was there, but that was *** turnover, but most of. These things previous like the previous 9 or 10, there were legit takeaways like guys really going to make plays anticipating things, understanding real combinations, punching the ball out. How do you evaluate them differently from turnovers versus takeaways? Yeah, well, look, I mean, I, I think all of them, I think all of them matter, you know, and I think, um. You know, I might argue that, you know, some of the things that we were doing in terms of attacking the, uh, you know. The the zone read scheme maybe that had something to do with with uh with the the ball handling you know I think all of those things uh matter I think you know the number one thing is man there’s *** conscious effort, uh, and there’s *** there’s *** prepared knowledge of of where your takeaway opportunities are gonna happen. And then we have to create population around the ball and those opportunities and then when we get those opportunities we gotta take advantage of them, coach, when you look at the tape, what are you seeing from Spencer right now that’s caused such an improvement in his game and how do you disrupt that *** little bit? Yeah, look, I, I think he’s doing *** good job of, of, uh, you know, getting rid of the ball. Uh, I think, uh, you know, when, when, when he’s able to get the ball out in rhythm and on timing. Uh, I think he’s been highly successful and then the second thing that he’s been able to do is when it hasn’t been there, uh, he’s been able to create *** lot of things with his feet. So I think his, his mobility is one of those factors that we’re gonna have to take into account. That’s up with that. What, what makes Olave as quarterback friendly as he is and particularly to this particular, yeah, look, I think he runs exceptional routes, um. You know, he, he’s got, he’s got really good speed. He’s got great transition in and out of the break and so I, I think that’s really what it, what it is. I think his ability to transition, which creates separation, uh, you know, and now quarterbacks going into *** few more open windows, uh, than some of these guys that maybe take *** little bit more time getting in and out of their breaks in their transition. How do you, um, gotten used to here, curious about, you know, you had two sets of brothers that, um, You know, you coach Nei and Rajan in New Orleans and I’ve got no one, what’s that like for you as *** as *** coach to? Kind of go to one place, get used to another, and coach like people who are related. Yeah, I, I don’t know. I, I don’t, I, I hadn’t really thought of it that way, you know what I mean? I just coached the guys that are out here and, and, uh, uh, look, Noah’s doing *** really good job for us. Um, he, he’s *** guy that, you know, really prior to this season really hadn’t had *** lot of playing time, hadn’t had *** lot of success, uh, and yet he came into this offseason, he attacked the offseason, um, and he’s really improved, he’s improved himself physically, he’s improved himself mentally. Um, and, and he’s *** guy that, you know, he plays kind of our style, our brand, you know, kind of *** tough. You know, physical style of football and, and, uh, you know, he’s bought into the things that we’re trying to get done. He’s worked really hard at him at it, and, and I think he’s had some success because of it. And with the with the 3rd down some stuff you guys been doing on 3rd down, how have you seen the players embrace what you’re bringing to the whiteboard? You know, you’re asking maybe guys to drop or guys to just do *** lot of different things. How have you seen them really take to it? Well, look, I think anytime you do anything that might be different than people have done in the past, um, they kind of got to see the results of that first and then as they begin to see the results they start to buy in more and more to, uh, the things that they’re being asked to do and uh you know sometimes guys have to do things that maybe they they they. They may not naturally just want to do, but yet they see the results and how it helps the entire football team. um, and so look, there’s gonna be times that we’re gonna, we’re gonna create opportunities for call the defensive linemen to, uh, you know, go get some pressure on the quarterback. There’s gonna be some times where we’re gonna ask him to drop so we can create some pressure in other areas. How do you evaluate the, how do you evaluate the pressure that you’re getting when you have such elusive quarterbacks like Spencers this week, Jayden last week where you guys may be in the right position but they’re not able to get the sign? Yeah I mean I think that’s that’s part of the nature of the NFL now um I think you know you’re seeing it more and more in college, um, you know, athletic quarterbacks, um, and, and I think that’s transitioning more and more each and every year into the into the NFL, um, and, and so it it’s look, it’s *** challenge, um, but yet. You know that’s that’s kind of the nature of the of the business and sometimes we’re gonna win those battles and sometimes we’re not gonna win those battles. The thing is we gotta put ourselves in those positions more often and give ourselves an opportunity and how does how does Camara player. Say it again. uh his development, yeah, look, I think he continues to get better each and every each and every year. Um, the one thing that you notice about him, he’s got elite speed, um, and so his speed down the field, his speed on crossing routes, how they use him on some of these, you know, jet sweeps or fly sweeps. I I I just think, uh, you know, he’s continuing to improve. I think he’s continued to improve in terms of. Different things that they can ask him to do different alignments, put them in different positions, uh, you know, run some different routes, some, some things that aren’t just straight line routes, more transitional type routes. So, uh, I’ve seen him, you know, continue to improve. Go ahead, Courtney. Just given your knowledge of the team, like, do you, are you noticing more guys on offense coming over to you this week asking for? No, not really. I mean, I think, um. You know, you look at the, you look at the tape and the tape really tells you what you need to know. And so, um, you know, obviously if if anybody has questions I’m, I’m more than happy to give my insight, but I think those guys on the offensive side have *** pretty good handle of what they’re looking at. You turn up the defense just right, thanks guys.
WATCH NOW: Bears’ Allen insists first matchup with Saints since firing is just ‘another game’
WATCH NOW: Bears’ Allen insists first matchup with Saints since firing is just ‘another game’
Updated: 7:06 PM CDT Oct 16, 2025
Dennis Allen acknowledged his fond memories as an assistant and head coach in New Orleans.He just wasn’t all that interested in discussing them let alone his feelings about his dismissal.Allen, the Chicago Bears defensive coordinator, will be facing his former team for the first time since he was fired as head coach last season when the Bears host the Saints on Sunday.“I’ve got a lot of fond memories of being there,” he said Thursday. “And yet, it’s another game.”Allen spent 15 of the past 20 years in New Orleans as either an assistant under Sean Payton or head coach and was part of a Super Bowl championship staff.He led New Orleans to an 18-25 record over 2 1/2 years with no playoff appearances before getting fired after Week 9 last season. The Saints were 2-7 after losing seven in a row. He was promoted after six seasons as defensive coordinator in 2022 when Payton went into what turned out to be a one-year retirement before taking the Denver job.“I don’t think I’m going to go there,” Allen said when asked about what went wrong. “Let’s just focus on what we’ve got going on now.”Along with the tough ending, there were plenty of bon temps on the bayou.Allen was an assistant defensive line coach in Payton’s first season when the Saints returned to the Superdome in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina made it unusable the previous year. They became a feel-good story, going from three wins in 2005 to finishing 10-6 and advancing to the NFC championship game before losing to Chicago.Allen was the Saints’ secondary coach when the 2009 team captured the franchise’s lone Super Bowl championship, beating the Indianapolis Colts. And as defensive coordinator, he oversaw units that ranked among the top 10 in the NFL in 2020 and 2021.“A lot of good experiences, a lot of good people, a lot of wins,” Allen said. “We were a part of a lot of success there. I’ve got fond memories of it, but this week is really all about let’s focus on the football. This is going to be about the players on the field, Bears versus the Saints, those guys will really determine the outcome of the game.”Though Allen’s tenure as head coach was unsuccessful, Saints players had positive things to say about him.“So much respect for what he’s done,” right guard Cesar Ruiz said. “So much respect for him as a defensive coordinator.”Quarterback Spencer Rattler said: “Obviously, he’s a great defensive mind, does a lot of different things, been doing it a long time. He’s really smart. I remember last year in camp having to deal with all those looks. So, he’s not going to make it easy. That’s for sure.”While Chicago’s defense remains a work in progress, Allen has been an invaluable resource for Bears coach Ben Johnson, who called him a “godsend.”“He’s helped me every step of the way as well,” said Johnson, in his first season as an NFL head coach. “So very grateful for him to be here and everything that he’s done for this team up to date.”The Bears rank among the NFL’s worst in yards per game and in stopping the run. They’ve also struggled to get to the quarterback and rank near the bottom of the league in sacks with eight.But when it comes to taking the ball away, the Bears are as good as any team at the moment. Entering Week 7, they’re tied with Jacksonville for the NFL lead with a plus-8 turnover differential and rank second with 12 takeaways, including 11 in the past three games.Allen is known for building an aggressive culture and physical style of play in his defenses. And Saints coach Kellen Moore can see it in the Bears.“The biggest thing is their defense is playing fast, physical,” he said. “They’re playing obviously with a lot of confidence. The turnover thing is real. … They’re doing a great job of attacking the football.”
LAKE FOREST, Ill. —
Dennis Allen acknowledged his fond memories as an assistant and head coach in New Orleans.
He just wasn’t all that interested in discussing them let alone his feelings about his dismissal.
Allen, the Chicago Bears defensive coordinator, will be facing his former team for the first time since he was fired as head coach last season when the Bears host the Saints on Sunday.
“I’ve got a lot of fond memories of being there,” he said Thursday. “And yet, it’s another game.”
Allen spent 15 of the past 20 years in New Orleans as either an assistant under Sean Payton or head coach and was part of a Super Bowl championship staff.
He led New Orleans to an 18-25 record over 2 1/2 years with no playoff appearances before getting fired after Week 9 last season. The Saints were 2-7 after losing seven in a row. He was promoted after six seasons as defensive coordinator in 2022 when Payton went into what turned out to be a one-year retirement before taking the Denver job.
“I don’t think I’m going to go there,” Allen said when asked about what went wrong. “Let’s just focus on what we’ve got going on now.”
Along with the tough ending, there were plenty of bon temps on the bayou.
Allen was an assistant defensive line coach in Payton’s first season when the Saints returned to the Superdome in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina made it unusable the previous year. They became a feel-good story, going from three wins in 2005 to finishing 10-6 and advancing to the NFC championship game before losing to Chicago.
Allen was the Saints’ secondary coach when the 2009 team captured the franchise’s lone Super Bowl championship, beating the Indianapolis Colts. And as defensive coordinator, he oversaw units that ranked among the top 10 in the NFL in 2020 and 2021.
“A lot of good experiences, a lot of good people, a lot of wins,” Allen said. “We were a part of a lot of success there. I’ve got fond memories of it, but this week is really all about let’s focus on the football. This is going to be about the players on the field, Bears versus the Saints, those guys will really determine the outcome of the game.”
Though Allen’s tenure as head coach was unsuccessful, Saints players had positive things to say about him.
“So much respect for what he’s done,” right guard Cesar Ruiz said. “So much respect for him as a defensive coordinator.”
Quarterback Spencer Rattler said: “Obviously, he’s a great defensive mind, does a lot of different things, been doing it a long time. He’s really smart. I remember last year in camp having to deal with all those looks. So, he’s not going to make it easy. That’s for sure.”
While Chicago’s defense remains a work in progress, Allen has been an invaluable resource for Bears coach Ben Johnson, who called him a “godsend.”
“He’s helped me every step of the way as well,” said Johnson, in his first season as an NFL head coach. “So very grateful for him to be here and everything that he’s done for this team up to date.”
The Bears rank among the NFL’s worst in yards per game and in stopping the run. They’ve also struggled to get to the quarterback and rank near the bottom of the league in sacks with eight.
But when it comes to taking the ball away, the Bears are as good as any team at the moment. Entering Week 7, they’re tied with Jacksonville for the NFL lead with a plus-8 turnover differential and rank second with 12 takeaways, including 11 in the past three games.
Allen is known for building an aggressive culture and physical style of play in his defenses. And Saints coach Kellen Moore can see it in the Bears.
“The biggest thing is their defense is playing fast, physical,” he said. “They’re playing obviously with a lot of confidence. The turnover thing is real. … They’re doing a great job of attacking the football.”