Tag: Saints

Blake Grupe shares endorsement for Saints’ next coach at Radio Row

All signs point to the Saints hiring Kellen Moore after the Super Bowl, but that didn’t stop Blake Grupe from endorsing Darren Rizzi this week on Radio Row:

All signs point to Kellen Moore being the next head coach of the New Orleans Saints. Until the ink dries on his contract, however, nothing is official. Maybe it is that small glimmer of hope that led to Blake Grupe saying he’s “a believer in Rizz.”

Grupe’s endorsement of Darren Rizzi joins those made by other Saints players on social media, like Alvin Kamara and maybe Cameron Jordan.

Grupe being a kicker gives him first-hand experience with Rizzi. Even before Dennis Allen got fired and Rizzi became the interim head coach, Rizzi was still Grupe’s main point of contact. That probably plays a part in why he feels that way. Over the last two seasons, he’s become more familiar with Rizzi than most of the roster.

Still, with signs pointing towards this being an unlikely outcome, it’s surprising to hear Grupe come out with that statement. Commendable, but surprising.

When asked about Moore specifically, Grupe deferred to his position on special teams as his area of expertise. He told the NOLA.com crew at Radio Row, “I don’t need to know the offense, man, I just need to keep kicking.”

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Saints’ roster gives their next coach a nearly blank slate when crafting the team

The Saints are in need of roster reconstruction, and that gives a new coach like Kellen Moore the opportunity to shape it in his image quickly:

Kellen Moore believes in building around your players, but the New Orleans Saints are set up to build around Moore — or whoever their next head coach ends up being.

Good coaches understand you have to be adaptable with your playbook. It’s a mindset that is expressed when Moore spoke the media Monday night: “You build around your players. There’s different styles we’ve played over the years and that’s the fun part of it.”

When you have Saquon Barkley on your team, you tend to run the football a lot. No one did it more frequently than the Philadelphia Eagles. They led the NFL with 621 rushing attempts this season. No other team had more than 554 (the Baltimore Ravens).

However, outside of Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Erik McCoy and Taliese Fuaga, there aren’t a lot of building blocks for a new coach to work with. The Saints are in need of real roster reconstruction, which should give Moore (or someone like him) more fluidity early in his tenure.

With an innovative coach like Moore leading the charge, he would have the opportunity to bring in the type of players he wants for his system immediately instead of working around what pieces are there. So long as the Saints are patient and trust in his process, anyway.

Year 1 they will have some holdover, but he can start the process of shaping the roster immediately through the draft. Outside of McCoy and Kamara there’s no one who is locked into their role. Fuaga could change sides, and New Orleans may look to bring in another impact receiver or rusher in the draft.

The Saints didn’t do a lot well in 2024. They ran the ball well early in the season, but they still have room to grow and be more balanced. Being pass-heavy may be the only thing off the table.

One point of rigidity is the quarterback room. If their new coach truly doesn’t like the options available to him, he may feel leaning on the run is mandatory.

Moore has the right idea of adapting to his players, and one day he’ll have to do it. Where the Saints are currently, however, would allow him to shape this team in his vision quickly.

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Paulson Adebo progressing well from devastating injury

Paulson Adebo shared an update on his recovery from a broken femur. The Saints’ starting cornerback is progressing well before free agency:


Paulson Adebo went down with a broken femur midway through last season against the Denver Broncos, and it was the last time we saw the New Orleans Saints cornerback in 2024. There are some that question if it is the last time we will see him in a Saints uniform.

Adebo suffered the injury in the seventh game of the year and is showcasing his recovery process after the season. The cornerback shared a video clip of himself on social media running on the treadmill at 21 miles per hour.

This is a great sign after a bad leg injury. Alontae Taylor and Kool-Aid McKinstry are your top returning corners on the roster. Seeing that Adebo is about to enter free agency, that video was an advertisement to the entire league that he’s healthy and ready to help his team — whoever they might be.

It would make sense for the Saints to attempt to retain Adebo. Neither Taylor nor McKinstry have shown they’re above competing for their spot in the starting lineup. New Orleans should reinforce the position after trading Marshon Lattimore. The only other corners under contract for 2025 are Rico Payton and Rejzohn Wright, who spent his year on injured reserve.

While his value on the free agent market remains to be seen, Adebo could also benefit from a return to New Orleans. It would likely be a short-term deal and allow him to build his stock with a healthy year of quality game tape. He could also be priced out of the Saints’ budget. He’s been one of the most productive ballhawks in the NFL since he was drafted with 43 passes defensed in 52 games played. But until that time comes, it’s just good to see Adebo moving at high speed again.

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Saints interim coach lumped into a group of the coaching cycle’s losers

There won’t be any interim coaches retained this coaching cycle, so B/R has that group as one of the offseason’s biggest losers:

The New Orleans Saints have yet to finalize a deal with Kellen Moore to be the next head coach, but the only impediment is waiting for Moore’s season to be over.

That would mean the Saints would pass over Darren Rizzi and no interim coaches will be retained.

The Saints, New York Jets and Chicago Bears all fired their coach midseason and went outside of the building for their newest head coach.

Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton called interim head coaches one of the coaching cycle’s biggest losers. He believes Antonio Pierce’s quick departure from the Las Vegas Raiders could have played a part in team’s reluctance to commit to interim coaches.

A larger contributing factor could be the lack of success of interim coaches in 2024. Pierce had a winning record as an interim coach. The three teams with an interim coach are all picking inside the top-10.

Rizzi may be a part of the loser group, but he doesn’t need sympathy. He’s one of the top special teams coordinators in the league and already has his next job lined up.

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Saints involved in two trade proposals that would reshape the NFL

This B/R writer says two New Orleans Saints veterans getting traded to the AFC North could impact the NFL playoff picture:

Rebuilds typically lead to an exodus of veteran players as the team gets younger. As the New Orleans Saints begin their rebuild, reload or whatever they want to call it, they too will get younger.

Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport saw two Saints veterans as bargaining chips. He cooked up six trades that could reshape the league, and New Orleans was involved with two of them. Davenport had the Saints sending two players to the AFC North: Derek Carr to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tyrann Mathieu to the Baltimore Ravens.

Carr to the Steelers would probably make the fans in black and yellow pretty upset and fans donning the black and gold may rejoice. Carr would feel very similar to the acquisition of Russell Wilson. He’s been discussed already as a possible trade target for Pittsburgh.

While Davenport is right to say the Steelers showed they don’t need an elite quarterback to be competitive, their limitations on offense still showed. On the note of competitiveness, Davenport pointed out “the opportunity to play for a contender” could entice Carr to waive his no-trade clause.

Davenport pairs Mathieu with Baltimore to help a struggling pass defense. This trade may become less likely because the Ravens improved mightily after moving Hamilton to deep safety. It would allow Mathieu to play closer to the box, but Baltimore may not be in the market for safety help anymore.

But what would the Saints get out of this? In terms of draft picks, Davenport’s trades have New Orleans getting a fourth-round pick in 2025 and a conditional pick in 2026 for Carr, plus a fifth-round pick in 2025. As for the salary cap benefits? Trading Carr before June 1 saves the Saints $11.3 million. But trading Mathieu saves only $16,000. That’s it. The team would still be paying $11.3 million this year if they trade Mathieu before June 1. They might be better off holding onto him.

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Report: Saints front office execs ‘love’ their young backup quarterback

Shortly after it was reported Kellen Moore could be turned off by the Saints quarterbacks, ESPN’s Matt Miller shared the Saints front office loves Spencer Rattler:

The New Orleans Saints are in an interesting place right now. They have an aging quarterback in Derek Carr and two young quarterbacks behind him, Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener. You want to improve from Carr, who dealt with injuries, but the young guys went a combined 0-8.

Things get complicated when thinking about who will lead the team. Mickey Loomis has vocalized the coach won’t be married to anything including the quarterbacks. Well, all signs to the team hiring Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator, Kellen Moore.

Before Moore even has his introductory press conference, there is already a difference in view of the roster. Moore reportedly doesn’t like the Saints’ quarterback room but the New Orleans front office “loves” Rattler, per ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller.

It’s far from an insurmountable disagreement. Finding out who Rattler is with an actual offense around him is a major reason letting him start in 2025 should be on the table.

The Saints’ draft position may keep them from drafting a quarterback this year. Jaxson Dart seems primed to jump into the first round. Maybe Moore loves Dart early or another quarterback later in the draft.

Even if New Orleans does draft a young player, Rattler will most likely remain on the roster over Jake Haener. He showcased a higher ceiling and Miller’s latest report shows the Saints feel the same way. How Rattler is managed in 2025 will be an interesting storyline to follow.

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Former Saints QB sees New Orleans as the best landing spot for Shedeur Sanders

It’s improbable, but former Saints backup QB Chase Daniels argues that New Orleans drafting Shedeur Sanders would be ‘the best situation’ for the high-profile rookie:

With the New Orleans Saints picking ninth overall, there is a better chance of Shedeur Sanders being off the board than available. The Colorado Buffaloes star quarterback is expected to be off the board in the first two picks.

In a fantasy world, however, The Facility’s Chase Daniel thinks Sanders being drafted by New Orleans would be “the best situation for Shedeur.” Daniels ran down the quarterback-needy teams in the top ten picks and acknowledged they’re all bad situations, the Saints included, but New Orleans is where Sanders could take his time and hit the field once the roster is ready to support him.

“So like any situation you go to — now I do agree, if you go the Saints, and you sit behind Carr for a year and Kellen Moore’s the head coach — I think that’s the best situation for Shedeur. Like, to not rush him. Not to say he can’t have success (right away),” Daniel argued. “The Saints, for me, make a ton of sense.”

What puts New Orleans above their peers is the presence of Derek Carr, and the anticipated addition of Kellen Moore. Daniels obviously respects Moore’s ability to build up a quarterback, but the greatest boost may be a veteran quarterback on the roster who Sanders could learn from.

Having Carr in the building gives Sanders a year to sit after being drafted. That could be a benefit a young quarterback by having an extra year to watch the game. Holding him back a year also gives you the chance to build a better supporting cast for when Sanders does step on the field. If Carr isn’t in the team’s long-term plans, they could more easily get out of his contract in 2026 with a high-profile backup ready to step into the huddle.

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Klint Kubiak is bringing a couple of key assistants with him to the Seahawks

Saints QB coach Andrew Janocko was expected to join Klint Kubiak with the Seahawks, but he’s bringing OL coach John Benton with him, too:

The New Orleans Saints lost offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak to the Seattle Seahawks a week ago, and it was expected quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko would also follow suit. Seattle received permission to interview Janocko in a lateral move. On Monday, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that Janocko is joining Kubiak in Seattle — and they’re bringing offensive line coach John Benton with them.

Janocko has always been Kubiak’s quarterback coach. They were on the Minnesota Vikings’ staff together before Kubiak brought him to New Orleans. It would make sense for those two to reunite in Seattle.

Kubiak was smart to jump to Seattle. At the time, the Saints coaching search was still up in the air. New Orleans is now in line to hire Kellen Moore. Kubiak making that move may keep himself and Janocko employed.

As for Benton? He’s an experienced and respected line coach around the league, having previously worked on the New York Jets and before that the San Francisco 49ers staff under Kyle Shanahan. He did good work preparing Taliese Fuaga and Trevor Penning to swap positions last offseason, but a new head coach (Moore or someone else) is going to want their own support staff.

We’ll see who else finds new jobs in the days and weeks ahead, and whether any assistants stay on board to work under a new coach.

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ESPN analyst sees Kyle McCord and Kellen Moore as a ‘strong fit’ for Saints

Don’t like Derek Carr, Spencer Rattler or Jake Haener? ESPN’s Dan Orvlosky sees Syracuse QB Kyle McCord and the Saints as a ‘strong fit’

At this point, it’s pretty safe to project Kellen Moore as the next head coach of the New Orleans Saints. New Orleans has to wait until after the Super Bowl to officially hire the Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator, but they’ve told everyone else the race is more or less over.

As an offensive minded head coach, the first thought becomes what is he going to do at quarterback. A recent report from The Athletic’s Dianna Russini suggested Moore was less than enthralled with the quarterback room, though he may have come around on the idea of working with them anyway.

Don’t like Derek Carr, Spencer Rattler or Jake Haener? ESPN’s Dan Orvlosky believes Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord would be a “strong fit.”

Drafting a quarterback from the Senior Bowl has been a recent trend for New Orleans. Ian Book, Haener and Rattler all attended the Senior Bowl before getting picked in the fourth and fifth rounds. The Saints could switch it up under new leadership.

McCord attended the Shrine Bowl and was recognized as one of the top performers during practice. CBS Sports’ Emory Hunt said McCord “had a fantastic week throwing the football, just building on what he all season at Syracuse.”

In his lone season at Syracuse, McCord led the FBS in passing yards while also finishing top-five in passing touchdowns. This would mark the third year in a row the Saints drafted a quarterback in the middle of the draft, McCord’s likely range. As with Rattler and Haener, the commitment to a mid-round is low.

This could easily be Moore taking a chance for 2025 while keeping the door open to select a quarterback early in the 2026 NFL draft.

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How much would it cost the Saints to trade up for the first overall pick?

How much would it cost for the Saints to trade up with the Titans to grab Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders? This B/R writer has the answers

The New Orleans Saints are still in pursuit of their quarterback of the future. Derek Carr is only an answer in the immediate future, maybe. Though he wasn’t able to win a game, the door shouldn’t be completely closed on Spencer Rattler.

What if New Orleans wanted to make a more aggressive move to get a young quarterback? Tennessee Titans president of football operations Chad Brinker said the Titans are “going to look at all avenues as far as that No. 1 pick.”

That leaves the door open for a trade. You only make that trade for Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders if you’re the Saints. You don’t trade up to the first overall pick for any other position.

Tennessee trading down to ninth overall isn’t likely, but Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton broke down what it would cost for the Saints to move up to the top of the draft.

Moton has New Orleans giving up a first and third round pick this year and a first and second round pick in the following draft. This is the furthest trade back Moton has the Titans making, so the Saints also give up the most compensation.

This is a little less than the trade the Panthers made to grab Bryce Young. They added DJ Moore to the mix while also giving up back to back first and second round picks.

Giving up that many picks would be rough on New Orleans. They have a roster that needs an insertion of young talent. Making this trade would hopefully give you the answer at the most important position, but could lead to you struggling to support him.

The Titans are unlikely to make a trade to the outskirts of the top-10, and New Orleans should be cautious of giving up too much capital to build the team.

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