By Ross Jackson
In what has been an unpredictable turn of events in Jacksonville, the New Orleans Saints may be back in the driver’s seat when it comes to some of their top head coaching options.
Following an event fit for an NFL-themed soap opera, the Jacksonville Jaguars are back in talks with Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen for their open head coach position. Coen, who withdrew from consideration after serious talks with the Jaguars in order to return and take an extension with the Buccaneers, has now reversed his decision and reportedly traveled in secret to re-engage in talks with Jacksonville.
While this story of cat-and-mouse most immediately impacts the Buccaneers and Jaguars, the Saints benefit as well.
Firstly, Coen taking the Jaguars head coach spot would mean that he’s out of the NFC South division after just one very successful year.
Beyond that, it means that the idea that Jacksonville would compete for other bright, young offensive minds that the Saints may be interested in is over.
Part of the concern with Coen withdrawing from conversations with the Jaguars is that it made Jacksonville available to potentially pursue another candidate like Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady or another innovative first-time head coach candidate.
If the Jaguars and Coen agree to terms this time around, which has to be likely after all of this chicanery, the Saints would be running virtually uncontested for their remaining top candidates.
After the Chicago Bears’ initial pursuit of ex-Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy eventually ended with the hiring of Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson instead, the Saints have a clear runway if they choose to hire him.
Meanwhile, Las Vegas Raiders seem to be drawn to other more experienced options like former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph or ex-New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh. The Dallas Cowboys are marching to the beat of their own drum with internal candidate and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer becoming the supposed front-runner in Dallas.
Neither organization has requested or conducted an interview with the likes of McCarthy (certainly not the Cowboys, with whom McCarthy parted ways earlier this month) and Brady. Nor have either held virtual interviews with candidates like Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver or Philadelphia Eagles offensive play caller Kellen Moore.
That would leave the Saints mostly uncontested for the majority of their options. Not a bad place to be.
The Raiders, who could be in the market for an offensive head coach, could expand their search to include Brady. But until that happens, the red carpet is clear for some premier candidates in New Orleans as in-person interviews continue this week.
