Tag: candidates

Saints ranked as one of the least-attractive head coach openings

Bleacher Report argues the New Orleans Saints have one of the least-attractive head coach openings after firing Dennis Allen:

The Chicago Bears fired Matt Eberflus after one of the most disappointing end of game sequences you’ll ever see. He may have been on the way out regardless, but it may have expedited the process.

This makes Chicago the third vacancy created this season. The New York Jets and New Orleans Saints moved on from Robert Saleh and Dennis Allen earlier this year.

Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox took those three teams and added the Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants.

From there, Knox ranked those teams based on attractiveness. The only team less attractive than the Saints was the Jets. What separated the Big Easy from the Big Apple? The Jets have been a revolving door at head coach. Meanwhile, Sean Payton was a long-term coach in New Orleans.

Granted, that’s what happens when you hire a good coach, but we’ll take anything that keeps the Saints out of last.

What keeps them from being higher? They don’t have a quarterback to carry them into the future. The roster as a whole is viewed as average beyond a few foundational pieces. There’s enough to build around here, but maybe not enough resources to build with, and the Saints may struggle to attract the top candidates on the market come hiring season.

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Two former Saints offensive coordinator candidates have already been fired

Two former Saints offensive coordinator candidates have already been fired by the teams that hired them. Klint Kubiak must prove he shouldn’t join them.

Two former New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator candidates have already been fired by the teams that hired them this offseason, with the Chicago Bears jettisoning Shane Waldron not long after the Las Vegas Raiders moved on from Luke Getsy.

Klint Kubiak, who the Saints ultimately went with, must prove he shouldn’t join them. Getsy interviewed with New Orleans twice before accepting the Raiders job. Kubiak may have been hired by Dennis Allen but that doesn’t mean Darren Rizzi won’t let him go if the team doesn’t get results. Fortunately, that feels unlikely after the team revived itself with a win in Rizzi’s head coaching debut last weekend.

A big reason naming Rizzi the interim head coach made sense was because it meant little disruption for Kubiak on offense and Joe Woods coordinating the defense. That Rizzi didn’t quickly dismiss Kubiak and go with his own play-caller after being named the interim speaks volumes.

Still, Waldron and Getsy being axed doesn’t necessarily mean the Saints got it right with Kubiak. He’s been too slow to adapt when the defense has countered his game plans, and he didn’t do a good job preparing rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler to start during a string of losses when Derek Carr was injured. Widespread injuries to the offensive line and skills positions played a part, sure, but Kubiak’s unit hasn’t reached the same heights they met back in Weeks 1 and 2.

Hopefully he gets back on track once Erik McCoy returns to the lineup. The Saints welcomed their starting center back at practice last week and waived his backup Conner McGovern on Monday, which probably signals his return. McCoy was vital to Kubiak’s vision for the offense — the Pro Bowler was tasked with setting protections pre-snap, not the quarterback, which took a big load off Derek Carr’s shoulders to start the season. There’s not much reason to think Kubiak’s job is in jeopardy right now, but if the Saints fall back into a slump after beating Atlanta every option should be on the table. They need to know who’s part of the solution, long-term, and who’s part of the problem.

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Darren Rizzi could be a full-time Saints head coach candidate

Darren Rizzi earning another year as the full-time head coach of the New Orleans Saints wouldn’t be the worst thing. He’s a legit candidate for the job:

It’s an overreaction to say Darren Rizzi should remain the New Orleans Saints’ head coach after this season just because he beat the Atlanta Falcons. But continued success should mean he gets a real look, and the Saints will have to hire someone for the job. Rizzi turning a lost season around and earning that opportunity wouldn’t be the worst thing.

For one thing, he’s already a popular locker room presence. Special teams coaches like Rizzi are the few coaches who interact with players in every phase of the game. Whether he’s taught quarterbacks to hold a snap, told linemen how deep to set up for a field goal, or instructed safeties on shedding blocks as gunners, he’s worked with everyone, and he commands a lot of respect inside the building and around the league. He interviewed for the job when it opened up last time, too.

For another, the Saints aren’t set up rebuild on the fly. Annual contract restructuring has made it tough to trade off a bunch of veteran players and sign replacements in free agency. They aren’t resting on a stockpile of draft picks, either. That could make it tough to lure a hot up-and-comer in demand like Ben Johnson to town, and veteran coaches who have seen a thing or two like Mike Vrabel may want more resources to work with.

If the Saints are going to be working under tight salary cap constraints in 2025 anyway, the best approach might be to stick with Rizzi. See if he can weather that storm and field a competitive team with the pieces already in the building. If he can, great — he’ll have a clean slate to work with in 2026 after hurdles like the dead money left over from Marshon Lattimore’s trade and Derek Carr’s contract guarantees have been paid out in 2025. If he flounders?

No harm, no foul. More aging players will have bowed out, the salary cap bookkeeping will be in order, and the next coaching cycle will present more options. Maybe someone already being linked to the Saints coaching search like Aaron Glenn or Joe Brady will be ready to take over with more experience, fresh eyes and plenty of tools, cap space, and draft picks to build their own team.

But we’re really putting the cart before the horse here. Rizzi passed his first test by beating the dirty birds. Now he needs to win back-to-back games and knock out the Cleveland Browns next Sunday. That would do a lot to keep the season alive in a still-weak NFC South. At this stage all we can do (and all Rizzi and the Saints can do) is take things one day and one week at a time.

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Saints legend, Super Bowl champion up for the Hall of Fame again in 2025

New Orleans Saints legend Jahri Evans is up for the Pro Football Hall of Fame again in 2025. He’s one of eight finalists returning from last year’s voting:

This is a big deal for New Orleans Saints assistant offensive line coach Jahri Evans. The five-time All-Pro right guard also won six Pro Bowl appearances as a player and a spot on the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, and he’ll be recognized at his enshrinement to the Saints’ team Ring of Honor later this season. But an even bigger recognition could be waiting for him.

Evans was selected as one of 50 nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025. There are eight finalists returning from the voting for the Class of 2024 — Evans, Fred Taylor, Torry Holt, Reggie Wayne, Antonio Gates, Willie Andeerson, Rodney Harrison, and Darren Woodson.

On top of that, there are eight first-time candidates up for the Class of 2025: Eli Manning, Marshawn Lynch, Joe Staley, Marshal Yanda, Luke Kuechcly, Terrell Suggs, Earl Thomas, and Adam Vinatieri.

So it’s a loaded group, but Evans clearly has plenty of support among the Hall of Fame voters. Maybe this is the year he’ll get in. Evans has gotten one  step further during each year of eligibility, and unlike some players on this list he has both the personal achievements and a Super Bowl ring on his resume. The group will be whittled down further to just 25 semifinalists in a month.

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Jamaal Williams picked as a trade candidate before NFL roster cuts deadline

Jamaal Williams was picked as a trade candidate before next week’s NFL roster cuts deadline. But his strong game against the 49ers may keep him off the trade block:

We’re rapidly approaching the NFL roster cuts deadline on Aug. 27, and some trades are expected around the league as teams work to get the jump on the waiver wire. The New Orleans Saints are typically buyers at these deadlines, but could they be sellers instead?

If so, Jamaal Williams might be a trade candidate to watch. For The Win’s Cory Woodruff made the case for other teams to check in on the veteran running back ahead of next week’s NFL trade deadline:

The New Orleans Saints are very unlikely to trade running back Alvin Kamara with so much riding on this season with coach Dennis Allen and quarterback Derek Carr. However, it’s very possible the team could consider freeing up a little cap space (almost $4 million) and adding a draft pick for Williams, who didn’t fit in with New Orleans last season quite like he did with the Detroit Lions in 2022 (1,066 yards, 17 touchdowns). Only 29, Williams could help a contending team in the red zone while the Saints could give 2023 third-round pick Kendre Miller a bigger role in the offense.

Possible team fits Woodroof mentioned included the Las Vegas Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, and Minnesota Vikings.

But Williams may have taken himself off the trade block with a strong game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night. He totaled 32 rushing yards on five carries, and even if you take out his longest run (a 15-yard gain) he still averaged more than four yards per attempt.

And when you look more closely at the running backs depth chart, it may not make sense to move Williams. Kendre Miller suffered a hamstring injury on the first day of training camp that prevented him from ever returning to the  practice field before the Saints returned to New Orleans from Irvine. Alvin Kamara was sidelined for a few days last week after experiencing some back tightness, which he’s reported before. Jordan Mims and James Robinson have had some nice moments this summer but as a whole the running backs haven’t shown a ton of playmaking ability.

Is moving Williams worth a late-round draft pick and $3.85 million in cap space? That might be a question the Saints need to ask themselves, but unless Miller returns to health quickly it’s tough to see Williams being moved. But never say never. His hard running on Sunday night may have caught some wandering eyes.

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B/R says Saints should put Payton Turner on the trade block

With just one year left on his contract, Bleacher Report argues the New Orleans Saints should put Payton Turner on the trade block:

Bleacher Report’s Ryan Fowler called for the New Orleans Saints to put Payton Turner on the trade block. Fowler listed a player from each team that should go on the trade block.

Fowler had various reasons for a player’s inclusion. Crowded position group, expiring contract, or a change of scenery. Turner is on the last year of his deal, but him getting a new contract after a trade is doubtful because of the injury history. Change of scenery is obviously the route Fowler is going.

Turner hasn’t turned into the player the Saints desired him to be since drafting him in 2021. Heading into Year 4, he may never turn into that, but he could turn into draft compensation from another team via trade.

A large part of Turner not hitting his ceiling is health-related. In three seasons, he has played just 15 games. Turner’s shown flashes, but flashes aren’t enough at this point. Sustained production of some sort is required, and Turner’s availability removes him from sustaining poor or positive performance.

It’s difficult to predict a change of scenery would lead to Turner staying healthy. It certainly didn’t work for Marcus Davenport. Turner would result in minor compensation if he were traded.

On top of that, the Achilles injury to Tanoh Kpassagnon means Isaiah Foskey would step into fourth pass rusher role. Turner is injury-prone, but Foskey hasn’t even shown the flashes to make you believe in him. Never say never, but Turner is likely staying in New Orleans for the final year of his contract.

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A.T. Perry picked as a potential breakout candidate for 2024

All eyes are on Rashid Shaheed as a potential breakout candidate for the Saints, but Pro Football Network says don’t sleep on A.T. Perry:

All eyes are on Rashid Shaheed as a possible breakout candidate for the New Orleans Saints in 2024, even if his performance last season arguably meets the criteria. Shaheed finished with 46 receptions for 719 yards, scoring 5 touchdown catches. He also chipped in 339 punt return yards while picking up 384 return yards on kickoffs.

And while we’re all excited to see what Shaheed can do with Klint Kubiak calling plays (he was our pick for the Saints’ potential breakout), Pro Football Network’s Tony Catalina reminds us not to overlook another Saints wideout: A.T. Perry. Last year’s sixth-round pick out of Wake Forest made some plays down the stretch, and Catalina sees a great opportunity opening up for Perry with Michael Thomas moving on:

The days of Michael Thomas dominating secondaries for the Saints are over. However, while they have some young intriguing pieces in the room, second-year WR A.T. Perry should be talked about as a breakout candidate more often. The hope is still there that Perry could become one of Derek Carr’s most trusted weapons when it’s all said and done this season.

On their surface, Perry’s rookie-year stats aren’t that great: 12 receptions for 246 yards doesn’t move the needle for many fans. But look a little deeper. Perry converted a first down on 10 of his 12 catches, and four of those grabs scored touchdowns. That’s doubly impressive when you see that he didn’t take his first snap on offense until Week 8, and he didn’t record a catch until Week 10. He finished the season by catching all three passes thrown his way against the Atlanta Falcons, gaining 53 yards and scoring two touchdowns in a blowout win.

That certainly suggests he’s someone Derek Carr wants to work with. Unlike Shaheed and Chris Olave (both of whom measure in at 6-foot and under 190 pounds, with 73-inch wingspans), Perry has a more imposing stature at 6-foot-5 and a listed 205 pounds with an 82 5/8-inch wingspan. We saw him win on contested targets and outmuscle opponents downfield last season. If he can continue to play with such physicality on a heavier workload, Carr and Kubiak will give him as many opportunities as he can handle.

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Payton Turner labeled a roster cuts candidate who could land elsewhere

Payton Turner has only played 15 games in three years. That untapped potential makes him a potential roster cut who could garner interest elsewhere:

Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay called New Orleans Saints defensive end Payton Turner a potential roster cut that should be on other teams’ radar. There are some notable names on the list alongside Turner, but his status as a former first round draft pick does make him more appealing than others.

This designation meant two things for Turner, from Kay’s perspective.  Turner may be released but has the talent to possibly contribute elsewhere. Kay argues Turner does indeed check both of those boxes:

He has the length and athleticism required to succeed on the edge at the professional level at 6’6″, 270 pounds while possessing plenty of explosiveness and power within that frame.

Although he hasn’t managed to translate those skills to the pro level yet, he has occasionally flashed when he hasn’t been sidelined by significant shoulder and foot injuries. He had a two-sack game against the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022, a contest that showcased his ability to disrupt.

Turner is obviously a camp casualty candidate. The Saints have drafted Isaiah Foskey early in the second round and also signed Chase Young in free agency over the last two years. New Orleans has been trying to find the answer at defensive end, but it’s been elusive.

Turner’s injury concerns have opened the door for more talent to walk in. The room could reach capacity with Turner as the odd man out. The problem with him is he has flashed his talent at times. It feels like if he was ever able to play over half a season he may be able to build upon some of these good moments. He’s only played 15 games in his three-year career.

If Turner is cut, another team could easily see those moments and give him a chance because of it. No one knows for sure what he could be with a full season. It’s likely a team would take the gamble to find out. But with Tanoh Kpassagnon possibly out for the year with a torn Achilles tendon, it’s unlikely the Saints are ready to cut ties with Turner just yet.

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Marcus Maye listed as a Saints salary cap cuts candidate

Marcus Maye was listed as a New Orleans Saints salary cap cuts candidate by Pro Football Focus:

The New Orleans Saints free agency decisions are coming up, which means bringing new players and letting go of some others. Pro Football Focus’ Brad Spielberger recently released a list of potential cut candidates as teams consider how to save some money. For the Saints, Spielberger listed veteran safety Marcus Maye. If cut after June 1, he would carry around $2.4 million in dead money and bring $7.2 million in cap savings.

Here is what PFF had to say about Maye and why they believe he could be a cap casualty:

The Saints will have to restructure virtually every big contract on their roster, as is tradition, but Maye offers legitimate savings as a post-June 1 release. Fifth-round rookie Jordan Howden flashed some promise down the stretch after Maye was lost for the season with a shoulder injury.

Maye makes a lot of sense as a potential cut for the New Orleans Saints, with Spielberger making good points in his blurb. The emergence of Howden, a 2023 draft pick, makes this decision a lot easier. The rookie provided a comparable level of play as Maye did before his injury, for much cheaper.

Giving Howden more room to grow in that bigger role and saving money on a player that has been in and out of the lineup almost seems like a no-brainer move, but Maye’s experience on the back end might be enough to save his job. At the same time he’s missed a full 17-game season’s worth of games to injuries and a suspension since signing with New Orleans, so the team must make a decision soon.

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Do the Saints have the least-desirable offensive coordinator opening in 2024?

Do the Saints have the least-desirable offensive coordinator opening in 2024? Let’s look at the remaining vacancies and compare:

Teams in the NFL tell you a lot of things by how they spends their money, but that’s also true of the hiring pool. The best candidates for, say, an open offensive coordinator job are going to quickly cut a deal with the best opportunities for success. If a team doesn’t look like a good landing spot, it won’t attract good candidates.

So, no: it’s clear by now that the New Orleans Saints are not seen as one of the best opportunities for coaches looking to call plays as an offensive coordinator. If that were the case they would have landed one of the best candidates like Shane Waldron (who picked the Chicago Bears instead) or Zac Robinson (who preferred his fit with the Atlanta Falcons).

Every situation is different. Some coaches may feel differently about some teams than others. How they would rank the remaining openings — including the Saints — differs from one candidate to the next. It’s possible that some coaches look at New Orleans and decide they have a better chance of success somewhere else. But the difference can’t be that great. Let’s take a look at what each of the remaining vacancies has to offer: