By Ross Jackson
Many believed that former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn was likely to end up as the New Orleans Saints head coach during this hiring cycle. It made sense. A former player and coach for the organization, there were strong connections available to try and reel in the big fish that Glenn was this offseason.
However, Glenn always seemed to prefer the New York Jets job instead. Glenn started his playing career and front office career with the Jets, who drafted him No. 12 overall in 1994 and hired him as a personnel scout in 2012. Now, in 2025, he becomes the team’s next head coach.
This leaves the Saints on the outside, looking in on the Glenn sweepstakes. However, they are not without outstanding candidates to fall back on. At the top of their candidates list should now be a young, impressive offensive mind with which they have some connection to: Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady.
It’s likely that ex-Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy will truly be the next front-runner for New Orleans. Plus, the team will likely be running uncontested for his services, after the Chicago Bears landed Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as their next head coach.
That means the Saints will have some leeway when it comes to McCarthy and should apply a bit of a full-court press on Brady before the Jacksonville Jaguars can swoop in.
Brady can’t interview until his Bills are done with their AFC Championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs this weekend. Even if Brady’s Bills advance, he can still interview with a team during the bye week before the Super Bowl, though no official contract could be signed until after the big game.
The Saints and Brady have already met virtually and—per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer—are expected to follow up with an in-person interview once Brady is eligible. Brady has also interviewed virtually with the Jaguars, who could look to bring him back for a second look, unless they choose one of their other top candidates.
The other candidates that look to sit atop the Jaguars’ list include former Jets coach Robert Saleh and New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. Graham was also the assistant head coach during his time with the Giants.
But with a young star quarterback like Trevor Lawrence at their disposal, the attraction to Brady should magnify quickly, especially after the firing of their general manager Trent Baalke.
If Jacksonville, which began focusing on Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen before he withdrew his candidacy, pivots to Joe Brady, the Saints will face significant competition.
New Orleans should take a page from the Jets’ book and work to land their in-person interview with Brady, which is expected to be scheduled, as soon as he is eligible. Make him arrive and leave New Orleans before ever having an in-person conversation with the Jaguars. The Saint should apply the same strategy the Jets did to get Glenn to the Big Apple to get Brady in the Big Easy.
A young, offensive-minded head coach matched with a team that provides a ton of patience with its staff and roster, could turn into a long-term win for both sides. The Saints are unlikely to be anywhere near a finished product in 2025, allowing Brady time to adjust to the role and build the team he wants over years to come. That’s a much better alternative to a team that may be overly motivated to microwave their results, in the hopes of short-team success. The Saints’ overhaul, rebuild, or retool needs the same thing a young first-time head coach needs: time.
The Bills offensive playcaller’s ability to maximize his talent, despite the lack of investment at wide receiver in Buffalo and his proven results with a fantastic run game, should make him a top scheme to pursue as well.
Not only is Brady a great option for New Orleans, the Saints could make themselves a great option for Brady in return. He should be their next top pursuit.
