Tag: request

Mickey Loomis walks back response to Marshon Lattimore trade question

Mickey Loomis walked back his response to questions focusing on a possible Marshon Lattimore trade at Tuesday’s pre-draft press conference:

Just how confident is Mickey Loomis that Marshon Lattimore will be playing for the New Orleans Saints this year? The team’s general manager fielded questions from local media during his pre-2024 draft press conference on Tuesday, and the topic of Lattimore’s status came up.

So how did Loomis react when asked whether he was confident Lattimore would be on the roster this year?

“Yeah,” Loomis said, but when asked if he’d have responded with anything but a positive confirmation, he replied with “What do you think?”

When asked a follow-up question, Loomis tried to tamp it down, saying that he was “trying to avoid” the topic of player availability. But his next observation was a little more telling.

“Everybody is tradeable,” Loomis continued, “It depends on the offer you get. I don’t like trading players that have been contributors. There’s too many variables.”

That sure doesn’t make it sound like the Saints are open for business and shopping Lattimore around. They set the stage for this speculation back in January with a unique contract restructure that made Lattimore’s contract easier to trade, following reports of friction between the team and its star cornerback behind the scenes.

After he averaged 14.6 starts per year with four Pro Bowl appearances in his first five seasons, separate injuries have limited Lattimore to just 17 games over the last two years. Sources within the organization let it be known to the media that they were frustrated with a player they perceived as being injury-prone and slow to recover. Fair or not (we’re inclined to downplay it; a lacerated kidney and sprained ankle have nothing to do with each other), that’s how the relationship began to fray.

So it’s relieving to see that things have settled down now. The trade market for veteran corners is terrible right now and the Saints would be moving Lattimore at a big loss. It’s still possible they could trade him, as Loomis acknowledged, but it doesn’t appear to be as likely as it did a few months ago. We’ll see if that changes on draft day or in the summer months ahead.

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Saints suggested as a good fit for Jets draft bust Zach Wilson

The New Orleans Saints were suggested as a good fit for New York Jets draft bust Zach Wilson. But they shouldn’t trade anything for him:

Where will Zach Wilson play football in 2024? The New York Jets draft bust has been given permission to look for a trade partner, but there haven’t been many takers. With other former first-round quarterbacks changing teams it feels like only a matter of time until Wilson ejects.

It just might be difficult for him to find a parachute first. Throwing 25 interceptions in 33 starts will do a lot to turn off suitors. Despite that, CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin argues that the New Orleans Saints could be interested in Wilson’s services, writing:

There isn’t exactly a strong market for a former top-three pick whose erratic quarterbacking resulted in multiple demotions, but at just 24 with dual-threat traits, Wilson could be a low-risk reclamation project for a contender. The return would almost certainly not exceed that which the Bears or Patriots got for Justin Fields and Mac Jones, respectively. But one thing’s for sure: The Jets have had their fill, with the aging but superior Aaron Rodgers once again back in the saddle.

There are some coaches on staff Wilson knows well like John Benton, the former Jets offensive line coach, and Wilson wouldn’t face as much pressure competing with Jake Haener to back up Derek Carr. He’d be more competitive in that role than Nathan Peterman will be.

But is it worth trading anything for him? Probably not. If the vision is for Haener to knock down whatever punching bag the Saints set in front of him, it makes more sense to sign a player like Peterman on a non-guaranteed minimum salary than to invest draft capital in Wilson (even if it’s nothing more than a late-round pick). And there’s the possibility of Wilson being released outright. If that comes to pass, then it’s worth seeing if Wilson is willing to match Peterman’s modest salary.

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Russell Wilson implored Seahawks to fire Pete Carroll, hire Sean Payton

The Athletic reports that, prior to last year’s blockbuster trade, Russell Wilson implored the Seahawks to fire Pete Carroll and hire Sean Payton:

Here’s some bombshell reporting. The Athletic’s Kalyn Kahler, Mike Sando and Jayson Jenks broke the story on Russell Wilson’s high-stakes split with the Seattle Seahawks last year, and who should make a cameo other than former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton?

The Athletic reports that Wilson implored Seahawks ownership to fire longtime head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider after their frustrating 7-10 finish to the 2021 season, and that he pushed for Seattle to make a run at Payton instead. From the story:

“Wilson and Carroll had clashed in recent years over the quarterback’s role in the offense and the overall direction of a team that had gradually declined after back-to-back Super Bowl appearances. Convinced that Carroll and Schneider were inhibiting his quest to win additional Super Bowls and individual awards, Wilson asked Seahawks ownership to fire both of them, according to league sources who spoke to The Athletic on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the details. Wilson also had a preferred replacement in mind: Sean Payton, who had recently stepped down from the New Orleans Saints.”

It makes sense. Wilson spoke glowingly of Payton over the years and there were rumors even in-season in 2021 that he wanted to work with the former Saints coach. And, of course, Payton eventually ended up with Wilson on the Denver Broncos. It wasn’t going to happen last year, though — Payton wanted to take a year off from football, spurning offers from other teams like the Miami Dolphins (who forfeited a draft pick for tampering with him anyway).

Wilson struggled to get things going with Nathanie Hackett in Denver for a year before Payton eventually made his way to Colorado. So Wilson got his wish. It just didn’t happen in Seattle. For what it’s worth, he quickly issued a denial of the story on social media:

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Dolphins request interview with Saints’ co-defensive coordinator Kris Richard

The Miami Dolphins have requested an interview with New Orleans Saints co-defensive coordinator Kris Richard, who has already met with the Carolina Panthers;

Another interview request has come in for one of the New Orleans Saitns co-defensive coordinators. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the Miami Dolphins are seeking permission to speak with Kris Richard, who held the co-DC position along with Ryan Nielsen last season. Before that promotion, Richard worked as the secondary coach while Nielsen coached the defensive line.

Richard has been a full-time coordinator before with the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys, and he’s been overqualified for the role in New Orleans for some time. He recently met with the Carolina Panthers about their defensive coordinator vacancy and it feels like only a matter of time before he moves on to bigger responsibilities.

And because he shares the co-coordinator title with Nielsen, the Saints can’t block Richard from any of these opportunities since it’s technically an advancement. Nielsen has interviewed with both the Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons, too, so there’s a real possibility the Saints lose one or both of them to this hiring cycle. It’s something to monitor in the days ahead.

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Vikings ask to interview Saints co-defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen

The Minnesota Vikings asked to interview New Orleans Saints co-defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen for their own DC vacancy:

The Minnesota Vikings fired defensive coordinator Ed Donatell after their one-and-done playoff appearance, and they aren’t wasting much time searching for his replacement. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Vikings requested an interview with New Orleans Saints co-defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen for the vacancy.

This is the second such request Nielsen has received; the NFC South-rival Atlanta Falcons are also looking to meet with him as a candidate for their defensive coordinator vacancy. Nielsen shared his title with Kris Richard in 2022, who has his own interview request to consider from the Carolina Panthers.

Nielsen has scouted, drafted, and developed most of the Saints defensive line since joining Sean Payton’s staff back in 2017. Nielsen rose to his current role in New Orleans once Dennis Allen was promoted to head coach, and his star has continued to rise in NFL coaching circles. Depending on how his meetings with Minnesota and Atlanta go, he could be on the outs this offseason.

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Panthers request permission to interview Saints co-DC Kris Richard

The Saints could face a unique challenge this offseason if both co-DCs are hired away. The Panthers requested permission to interview Kris Richard, via @RossJacksonNOLA:

So it begins. While a potential offensive coordinator shift is a popular focus for New Orleans Saints fans right now, the team may be forced to undergo a change at defensive coordinator as well. On Monday, the Carolina Panthers requested permission to interview Saints co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach Kris Richard.

Richard has been in New Orleans since the 2021 season when he was brought in to Sean Payton’s staff, replacing former secondary coach Aaron Glenn as he left for the  Detroit Lions’ defensive coordinator job. Richard was then promoted to co-defensive coordinator ahead of this season as Dennis Allen moved into the head coach position.

His cohort Ryan Nielsen is getting a look this offseason too. The news of the Panthers’ request to interview Richard comes hot on the heals of Nielsen being requested by the Atlanta Falcons. Meaning New Orleans could be in line to lose not one, but two defensive coordinators this offseason.

General manager Mickey Loomis made it clear in his end-of-year press conference on Friday that the organization would not stand in the way of their staff getting advancement opportunities elsewhere. That has been typical of New Orleans in the past with examples like the aforementioned Glenn, Lions head coach Dan Campbell, and Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot to name a few.

Per a high-ranking NFL executive, the option for franchises to block these interviews cannot be exercised when a candidate with a “co” title is being offered an opportunity to take on sole ownership of the same role. So even if New Orleans was to try to stand in the way of the advancement of one of these candidates, their options are limited. Short of promoting one of their co-coordinators, which effectively would mean moving on from the other, there is not much the Saints can do here. Instead, an NFC South rival or two could force the team’s hand. Could Richard team up with Payton in Carolina?

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Falcons request interview with Saints’ co-DC Ryan Nielsen

The Falcons requested an interview with the Saints’ co-defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, an experienced coach who has drafted and developed most of their defensive line:

The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman reports that the Atlanta Falcons have requested an interview with New Orleans Saints co-defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, an experienced coach who has drafted and developed most of their defensive line since signing with them back in 2017. Falcons defensive coordinator Dean Pees retired after the 2022 season, and they have been actively searching for his successor on head coach Arthur Smith’s staff. Nielsen shared his job title with Kris Richard this year in what turned out to be a disjointed collaboration between the two of them and head coach Dennis Allen.

So Nielsen would probably welcome the opportunity to run his own defense and call his own plays. NFL rules determine that co-coordinators may not be blocked from interviewing for full-time coordinator openings, but New Orleans may have intended to shake things up on their coaching staff regardless of outside interest in their assistants. Sean Payton worked hard to retain Nielsen when the LSU Tigers came calling in the past, but a return to the college ranks is different from a lateral move to a division rival. And Allen isn’t Payton.

This is something to watch. Nielsen is familiar with Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot, who previously worked in the Saints front office when New Orleans hired Nielsen away from his last job at North Carolina State. They both should have an idea of the athletic prototypes and preferences they favor, and this could be an advancement opportunity for Nielsen if he takes the job. Stay tuned for updates on this front.

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Sean Payton requests picking up, Texans and Cardinals seek permission from Saints

The Sean Payton bidding war could be heating up after the Texans and Cardinals request to speak with the former Saints coach, via @RossJacksonNOLA:

We knew this was going to be on the way, the New Orleans Saints are getting calls about former head coach Sean Payton as the NFL’s coaching carousel heats up. The Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans have requested permission to speak to the Super Bowl-winning coach. The good news for New Orleans is that both suitors have some appealing capital to offer.

While the Cardinals’ No. 3 overall pick in the NFL draft is unlikely to be on the table, at least not with out a little more persuasion by the Saints. But their early second round pick and a future first rounder could be a good start for a lucrative return package in the Big Easy. As for the Texans, they have the No. 2 overall selection along with No. 12. The latter selection is the perfect starting place for a trade deal. Tack on some additional and future capital and things could move quickly.

That’s assuming of course that Payton wants to work with either organization. That will be the most important element of any potential trade agreements. Arizona would be an intriguing opportunity for Payton who could bring an executive he’s familiar with along with him to assume their own general manager role. Jeff Ireland and Khai Harley would be prime candidates there. As for Houston, the freedom they have allowed to previous coaches like Bill O’Brien is a good measuring stick for the freedom that would be allotted to someone like Payton, widely considered a future Hall of Fame head coach.

More teams are likely to enter the fold. First round playoff exits for the Los Angeles Chargers, Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins could create more participants in what could turn into a bit of a bidding war. That would be a great development for the Saints.

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Saints could correct a draft-day mistake by trading for Jets WR Elijah Moore

The Saints could correct a draft-day mistake by trading for Jets WR Elijah Moore. NFL Network reports the second-year pro has requested a trade:

Who says you don’t get second chances? NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that New York Jets wide receiver Elijah Moore has requested a trade after a frustrating start to his career, presenting the New Orleans Saints with a golden opportunity to correct their draft-day mistake in passing on him last year. Rapoport adds that Moore has grown “frustrated with his role and usage” in New York’s offense, with the lack of development from quarterback Zach Wilson taking a toll on his own young career.

It’s understandable that he’d like a change of scenery. He’d do better in a different offense that puts him in a position to win. Even if the Saints aren’t exactly thriving at quarterback, offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael has a ton of experience doing just that, and Moore would fit in well with New Orleans (and just about any other offense around the league).

The Saints should have drafted Moore in the first round last year instead of reaching on pass rusher Payton Turner, who missed most of his rookie season with an injury and has been buried in the rotation — at times falling so far down the depth chart that he’s been inactive even when healthy. It’s possible he develops further down the line and takes over for Cameron Jordan or Marcus Davenport in a year, but the too-quiet start to his Saints career leaves that looking like a long shot. Right now he’s an afterthought behind guys like Tanoh Kpassagnon and Carl Granderson. Hopefully he proves everyone doubting him wrong.

But let’s circle back to Moore. He was picked just outside the first round at No. 34 overall and has thrived whenever Jets quarterbacks take time to throw to him. He can line up in the slot or outside and get open with ease, and specializes in picking up yards after the catch. It’s unclear how much longer Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry will be sidelined by injuries for New Orleans, but having a young talent like Moore in the building would do a lot to replenish the depth chart and make it easier to evaluate their contract situations in the spring (Landry will be an unrestricted free agent; Thomas carries a whopping $28.2 million salary cap hit).

So getting Moore now would make that transition easier. It’s one of several reasons the Saints should have drafted him last year instead of Turner, but the past is in the past. Now the Saints have a chance to fix that mistake, get Moore in the building, and go to work. Moore, 22, would only count about $866,000 against the salary cap if a team like the Saints traded for him right now. His 2023 cap hit clocks in a little over $2.4 million, climbing to $2.8 million in 2024. That’s ridiculously affordable and fits what teams flirting with the salary cap (again, like the Saints) should be looking for ahead of the Nov. 2 NFL trade deadline.

What about the cost to acquire him? Maybe the Jets could be talked into sending out their former second round pick in exchange for a future second rounder. Maybe New York graded Turner well going into the 2021 draft, in which case the Saints could try and do a simpler swap with some picks to sweeten the deal. That’s probably unrealistic, but you never know. The Jets signed Saints defenders like Sheldon Rankins, Kwon Alexander, and Justin Hardee Sr. in free agency, so they clearly share some common values that New Orleans is using to find personnel. It’s worth a shot.

But at the end of the day I just don’t see anything developing here. The Jets have no incentive to part ways with a talented second-year pro. The Saints are set at receiver if and when everyone is healthy. In a vacuum, I wouldn’t consider shaking up the receiving corps for nothing. But if you could tell me that the Saints can have Moore behind Thomas, Landry, and Chris Olave this year instead of the likes of Tre’Quan Smith, Marquez Callaway, and Kevin White (as is the case in Thursday night’s game), I’d jump at the opportunity. Knowing the Saints could then replace Thomas or Landry next offseason with Moore only makes that more enticing. Let’s see if the Saints feel the same way.

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Seahawks request interview with Cowboys defensive coach Joe Whitt Jr.

The Seattle Seahawks have requested to interview Dallas Cowboys defensive coach Joe Whitt Jr. for their open defensive coordinator position.

The Seattle Seahawks just parted ways with defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. this week and the team is already on the hunt for his replacement. Seattle has reported interest in a number of candidates, with a new name thrown into the mix as of Wednesday night according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

“The Seahawks put in a request to interview Cowboys defensive passing game coordinator/secondary Joe Whitt Jr. for their defensive coordinator job, per source,” Pelissero tweeted. “Whitt is a 14-year NFL assistant and widely respected.”

Whitt has spent time with the Falcons, Packers, Browns and Cowboys throughout his professional career.

You can follow all the Seahawks’ potential coaching candidates for the defensive coordinator position on our live tracker here.

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