Few teams made as great a use of their resources as the New Orleans Saints have in recent years, and much of that credit goes to Khai Harley. His official position within the organization is listed as the vice president of football administration, but Harley’s day-to-day responsibilities have centered on managing the salary cap so they can field a competitive roster. He’s been a key part of their behind-the-scenes work, staying out of the limelight to such an extent that the combined photo galleries of the USA Today Network, Getty Images, and the Associated Press don’t have a clear shot of him.
Many teams use the cap as an excuse to field subpar teams and save dollars for cheap ownership groups, but Harley has spearheaded New Orleans’ efforts to work around the cap and get the most bang for their buck. Few people around the league know the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement better. It’s largely because of him that the Saints were able to be active in free agency and keep a talented core together for so many years, winning the second-most games (62) over the last six seasons.
Obviously that’s more laudable when the team is winning games, which they haven’t done much of this season, but the strategy works when the team has competent coaching and quarterback play. And it’s put Harley on the national radar. He’ll be participating in an upcoming Front Office Accelerator in Dallas on Dec. 13 and 14 alongside diverse general manager candidates from 28 different teams and the league office.
This program highlights people of color and women from many backgrounds who are on the rise in executive roles, giving them greater exposure ahead of the next NFL hiring cycle. They’ll attend professional development seminars and network with decision-makers from around the league. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement, “Club owners and executives are focused on building on the successful momentum of our Coach and Front Office Accelerator Program by continuing to engage with and develop this group of talented men and women.”
Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II, chairman of the NFL Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, added “The goal of our Accelerator Program is to foster relationships between owners and potential candidates for front office positions. … Both the clubs and the Accelerator participants understand the importance of the exposure, professional development and networking opportunities of the Accelerator.”
The Saints have lost one talented front office executive recently with the Atlanta Falcons hiring Terry Fontenot as their general manager, and Harley is another candidate who could be picked up as a GM elsewhere. As a minority candidate, his departure would bring the Saints a pair of third-round compensatory draft picks, but that’s a pittance for the value he’s added to the organization. Still, he owes it to himself and his family to pursue better opportunities, and joining programs like this one will raise his standing among his peers.
And the team has taken steps to prepare for Harley’s eventual move. There’s just one other person listed within the football administration department on their front office roster: Tosan Eyetsemitan, who shares Harley’s background in financial analysis with experience in NFL pro personnel departments. New Orleans has had a good thing going with Harley, Jeff Ireland, and Mickey Loomis working together in the front office with pro personnel director Michael Parenton, but other teams are going to continue poaching talent from them. It doesn’t feel like we’ll have to wait very long for their post-Harley plans to be tested in earnest.
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