Saints face increased competition in Head Coach search

By Ross Jackson

While the New Orleans Saints are driving up competition for their next head coach, they simultaneously face competition from other teams also on the hunt.

As of Tuesday morning, New Orleans had six confirmed interviews or requests, while only four other NFL head coaching positions were open. This gave the team favorable odds of potentially landing one of its early targets. However, a new opening has emerged, expanding the pool of opportunities for candidates seeking a landing spot.

Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo, the Las Vegas Raiders have fired head coach Antonio Pierce.

This creates a sixth destination for coaching prospects, including one that could compete with New Orleans for a top candidate: former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel.

Vrabel has extensive connections within the Raiders’ ownership group, including former NFL quarterback Tom Brady. This makes the potential for his landing in Vegas a real possibility. 

New Orleans and the Raiders will also be competing with the New York Jets, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, and New England Patriots—the latter being a strong potential landing spot for Vrabel.

All eyes now turn to the Dallas Cowboys, as head coach Mike McCarthy’s contract is set to expire on Monday, Jan. 14. If the team and McCarthy fail to reach a new agreement, the high-profile Dallas market could become the most desirable landing spot for a head coach.