Panthers Request GM Interviews With Brandon Brown, Mike Greenberg, Brandt Tilis

January 8th, 2024 at 4:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

Making the anticipated move to fire Scott Fitterer, the Panthers are joining other teams in sending out interview requests. Three have gone out as of Monday afternoon.

The Panthers want to meet with Giants assistant GM Brandon Brown, Buccaneers assistant GM Mike Greenberg and Chiefs VP of football operations Brandt Tilis, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero and Peter Schrager. While assistant Carolina GM Dan Morgan will have a chance to succeed Fitterer, David Tepper is hoping to bring in a handful of outside candidates.

Tepper’s actions in recent months and his general reputation during his ownership run introduce complications for his latest round of hires. But he remains the NFL’s second-wealthiest owner. That component may be important given the state of the Panthers, who do not have their first-round pick this year or their 2025 second-rounder due to the Bryce Young trade. As is the case for HC positions, there are only 32 GM jobs available. That will at least bring candidates to the table.

Tepper has already met with Tilis, who interviewed for the GM job in 2021. The Panthers conducted an expansive search that year, choosing Fitterer, who had enjoyed a successful run as a Seahawks exec. Fitterer did not have full control until Tepper fired Matt Rhule in October 2022, and the owner has referenced his own willingness to veto moves, pointing to Carolina’s GM having to contend with ownership as well. It is not known how Tepper plans to structure his next staff, in terms of handing power to the GM or head coach. That is among the notable questions Carolina faces this offseason.

As for the candidates, Tilis joins Chiefs assistant GM Mike Borgonzi in receiving early interview requests. Both have been with the team throughout its Patrick Mahomes-era rise. Tilis was a central figure in the Chiefs hammering out Mahomes’ outlier 10-year extension back in 2020, researching baseball contracts before the team came to terms with its centerpiece player on that landmark deal. The Chiefs have already needed to adjust that contract, due to the quarterback market accelerating in the years since that July 2020 extension. Tilis even predates Andy Reid in Kansas City, joining the team to start Scott Pioli‘s GM tenure back in 2009. Tilis has been in his current position since 2021.

Greenberg joins Tilis in being in his 14th season with his current employer. The Bucs exec is best known for helping the team navigate its salary cap, something that became pivotal during an all-in push centered around Tom Brady. Tampa Bay completed numerous restructures and became a piece of NFL transaction lore in 2021 by retaining its entire starting lineup plus notable backups in an effort to defend a Super Bowl title. While the Bucs could not complete that effort on the field, Greenberg’s work — which included Brady’s initial agreement, a subsequent extension and a post-retirement restructure — helped considerably. The Bucs promoted Greenberg to assistant GM last year.

The Giants hired Brown to be Joe Schoen‘s right-hand man in 2022, an offseason that featured four Eagles execs become assistant GMs elsewhere. Just 36, Brown spent five years with the Eagles, beginning his run with the team ahead of its Super Bowl LII-winning season. Howie Roseman promoted Brown to player personnel director in 2021, putting him on the radar for top lieutenant roles the following year.

Additionally, the Panthers may have their eye on another NFC South exec. Khai Harley, whom the Saints elevated to assistant GM this past offseason, is believed to be on Carolina’s radar, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler. Harley has helped Mickey Loomis as the team annually comes up with creative ways to free up salary cap space, being the NFL’s restructure kingpins.

Dolphins’ Jerome Baker, Andrew Van Ginkel Likely Done For Season

January 8th, 2024 at 3:45pm CST by Sam Robinson

Already down Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb for the season, the Dolphins continue to run into brutal injury luck on their front seven. Injuries to Jerome Baker and Andrew Van Ginkel on Sunday night appear likely to be season-enders.

Just activated from IR ahead of Week 18, Baker sustained a wrist injury for which he has already undergone surgery. The sixth-year linebacker is out for the Chiefs matchup and likely the rest of the playoffs, according to NFL.com’s Cameron Wolfe. Van Ginkel, who has played a key role since Phillips’ injury, is also likely done for the season due to the foot injury that forced him out of Sunday’s night’s game.

In addition to these adjustments DC Vic Fangio will need to make, Mike McDaniel said the team is not expected to have Xavien Howard back against the Chiefs. Additionally, backup edge rusher Cameron Goode suffered a torn patellar tendon in the loss to the Bills and will miss the season, McDaniel said.

In the event Miami’s defensive personnel turns this into a shootout — a less common occurrence with this Chiefs edition compared to previous Patrick Mahomes-piloted teams — McDaniel said (via Wolfe) Jaylen Waddle and Raheem Mostert are looking more likely to return to action Saturday night. Waddle has missed the past two games with a high ankle sprain, while Mostert — the NFL’s touchdown leader, with 21 — missed Weeks 17 and 18 with knee and ankle trouble.

Still, Fangio’s troops are depleted to a point the defense will look quite different even from the shorthanded crew that took the field against the Bills. Goode’s injury left the Dolphins with Emmanuel Ogbah and Melvin Ingram on the edge. Fangio had benched the former early this season, and the Dolphins only re-signed the latter in December. The team used Ingram as a practice squad elevation in Week 18, doing so not long after cutting Jason Pierre-Paul. It would be interesting if the Dolphins reached out to JPP in this emergency circumstance. Miami still has quality personnel inside, in Christian Wilkins and Zach Sieler, but its OLB setup has been gutted.

Van Ginkel has been effective as both a rotational rusher and a starter this season, notching a career-high six sacks along with 19 QB hits. He also posted a pick-six against the Commanders. Baker battled back from an MCL sprain; the Dolphins had used their final IR activation on their middle linebacker last week. A seventh-round pick, Goode played only 76 defensive snaps this season.

Raiders Request GM Interviews With Trey Brown, Terrance Gray; Champ Kelly To Be Interviewed

January 8th, 2024 at 3:16pm CST by Sam Robinson

Two more Raiders GM interview requests have come in. The Raiders are interested in meeting with Bengals senior personnel executive Trey Brown and Bills director of player personnel Terrance Gray, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com reports.

Brown’s inclusion is interesting due to the Raiders’ past with the young executive. The team met with Brown in 2019 and again in 2022. Gray has not previously interviewed for a GM job. These two AFC staffers join 49ers assistant GM Adam Peters and Colts assistant GM Ed Dodds in being on the Raiders’ list of interview hopefuls. Dodds joined Brown in meeting with Mark Davis and Co. during the 2022 search that produced a Dave Ziegler hire.

When the Raiders met with Brown in 2019, he held the Eagles’ director of college scouting position. Brown, 38, ascended to that job at just 31. He began his run as an NFL scout back in 2010 with the Patriots. Brown held front office positions with two short-lived leagues between his Eagles and Bengals gigs, working with the Alliance of American Football and second XFL iteration. The Bengals promoted Brown to his current post in 2022.

Gray has 20 years’ experience as an NFL staffer, working for the Chiefs and Vikings prior to his recent run with the Bills. Gray logged 11 years in Minnesota, coming up under Rick Spielman through the scouting ranks. Upon taking the Buffalo GM job in 2017, Brandon Beane hired Gray. He has held his director of player personnel title since 2022. Gray will likely meet with the Raiders later this week, per SI.com’s Albert Breer.

The Bills lost their assistant GM, Joe Schoen, to the Giants that year. Considering Buffalo’s success during Beane’s stay, it stands to reason Gray will be a name to watch on the GM interview circuit. While the Bengals saw Joe Burrow‘s injury impede their route back to the playoffs, the team has qualified for two AFC championship games during Brown’s years in Cincinnati.

While these four candidates may all interview, the Raiders will indeed meet with interim GM Champ Kelly, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo notes. Davis said the team is likely to hire a GM before a head coach, though he indicated that is not a locked-in strategy. Kelly is expected to draw interest from other teams as well. The popular exec had built some momentum during his final weeks in the interim role, with a December report indicating he is more likely to stay than Antonio Pierce.

No Jim Harbaugh-like candidate exists thus far on Las Vegas’ GM interview list, so Kelly may not have the kind of competition Pierce stands to during this process. Though, if the Raiders are serious about Harbaugh, it would be a near certainty they would work with the Michigan HC to pair him with an approved GM. Davis is also considering a president of football operations-type hire that would be in this mix as well, complicating the AFC West franchise’s offseason.

Commanders Request Interview With Mike Macdonald; Team To Consider Eric Bieniemy For HC Position

January 8th, 2024 at 2:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

More updates continue to come in with respect to the Commanders’ coaching search. With Ron Rivera out of the picture, a number of outside candidates have been connected to the vacancy. The team’s top incumbent option could also receive consideration, however.

Washington has already submitted interview requests with four staffers preparing for their respective teams’ postseasons to begin: Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn (Lions), Raheem Morris (Rams) and Anthony Weaver (Ravens). The latter has company in Baltimore as it pertains to head coach interest. Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald has received an interview request, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Additionally, Josh Harris said Monday (via NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo) that offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy will receive consideration for the HC post. The new Commanders owner said the team plans to finalize its front office strategy first before moving on to its HC list. Considering no in-person HC interviews can be conducted until after the divisional round this year, a GM-before-HC path makes sense. Harris noted Bieniemy will be part of the search.

Bieniemy went through more than a dozen interviews for HC positions during his time as Chiefs OC. Despite Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes-fueled surge to the top of the NFL, Andy Reid‘s right-hand man on offense could not land a job. This became a divisive issue. As reports of Bieniemy struggling in interviews surfaced, the obvious storyline of race became the lead topic surrounding the five-year Kansas City coordinator’s quest to become a head coach. Ultimately, Bieniemy decided to leave the Chiefs to call plays elsewhere. That effort produced mixed results, and after new ownership took over in Washington, it would be surprising if Bieniemy landed the Commanders’ HC job.

Washington’s offensive rankings dropped from last season, sinking to 25th in points and 24th in yardage. DVOA slotted the Commanders’ offense 26th. The Commanders committed to Sam Howell at quarterback, shying away from starter-level QBs after pursuing every available QB1 in 2022. Howell became the first Washington QB since Kirk Cousins to go wire-to-wire as a starter, but Jacoby Brissett twice replaced him in games late in the season. The team lost its final eight games, making it more likely Harris starts fresh with his own hires.

Macdonald is among the younger candidates in this year’s head coaching cycle. The second-year Ravens DC has been expected to receive interest during this year’s HC hiring period. Baltimore finished the regular season with the NFL’s top scoring defense, doing so despite relying on Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy on the edge. Clowney arrived late in the summer, while Van Noy did not sign until September. The two combined for 18.5 sacks, with D-tackle Justin Madubuike dominating (13 sacks) in his contract year.

Harris also hired analytics staffer Eugene Shen as his VP of football strategy during the season. Shen is an ex-Ravens staffer whose Baltimore tenure overlapped with Macdonald’s first stint with the team. It would, then, not be shocking to see Ravens GM and HC candidates emerge.

Adam La Rose contributed to this post.

Giants Fire ST Coordinator Thomas McGaughey; OC Mike Kafka, DC Don Martindale Likely To Be Retained

January 8th, 2024 at 2:14pm CST by Adam La Rose

2:14pm: Further changes to the Giants’ staff are coming. Offensive line coach Drew Wilkins and his brother, defensive assistant Kevin Wilkins have been let go, Charlotte Carroll of The Athletic reports. Both staffers have a history with Martindale given their shared time in Baltimore, and the latter has publicly praised both on several occasions. For that reason, speculation continues to point to a Martindale departure even though Daboll suggested otherwise this morning.

10:30am: Changes have been made to the Giants’ coaching staff, but a degree of stability is set to remain in place. Special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey and offensive line coach Bobby Johnson have been fired, head coach Brian Daboll announced on Monday.

All three coordinator have been mentioned as potentially being on the hot seat, so McGaughey’s dismissal comes as little surprise. The 50-year-old’s NFL coaching career dates back to 2001, and he had a stint as an assistant with the Giants from 2007-10. He returned to New York after as the team’s coordinator in 2018 (following stints in that same role with the Jets, 49ers and Panthers), enjoying relative success early on.

In recent years, however, the Giants’ third phase performances have taken a turn for the worse. In 2023, New York finished 21st in terms of special teams DVOA, marking a continuation of the team’s underwhelming showings. Now, for the first time since Pat Shurmur‘s tenure as head coach, the Giants will need to find a replacement special teams coordinator.

Johnson followed Daboll to the Giants in 2022 after their shared time with the Bills. The O-line was a sore spot throughout the campaign, though, and New York allowed a league-leading 85 sacks. That figure is in part a result of the slew of injuries the Giants dealt with up front, but also a lack of development from certain young members of the unit. That includes right tackle Evan Neal, who struggled before missing the latter portion of the season due to an ankle injury which will require surgery.

Notably, though, Daboll added that he expects both offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and defensive coordinator Don Martindale to be retained for 2024. Both staffers were reported to be on the chopping block in November, something which came as little surprise given the team’s regression from its impressive playoff run in 2022. New York faced issues in the passing game both before and after Daniel Jones‘ ACL tear, leading to a 30th place finish in scoring (15.6 points per game).

The team’s defense did not fare much better under Martindale this season, and tensions between he and Daboll became a major talking point during the season. A November report from Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer pointed to a parting of ways being likely given the Daboll-Martindale rift, something the Giants attempted to publicly downplay. Martindale himself has also stated an intention to remain with the Giants, and it now appears that will be the case.

Significant improvement on both sides of the ball will be needed by New York if the team is to avoid a repeat of this season’s shortcomings. Plenty of significant decisions loom, including one on the future of running back Saquon Barkley. Jones’ contract has also not quelled doubts about his Giants tenure beyond the 2024 campaign. While ownership is on board with general manager Joe Schoen‘s rebuilding efforts, Daboll appears to likewise be satisfied a largely intact coaching staff will be able to rebound in 2024.

Raiders Request GM Interviews With Ed Dodds, Adam Peters

January 8th, 2024 at 1:28pm CST by Sam Robinson

Ed Dodds is believed to have impressed the Raiders during his 2022 interview for their general manager post. Two years later, the Colts executive could have another chance.

The Raiders requested another meeting with Dodds, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero. Additionally, Las Vegas wants to meet with San Francisco assistant GM Adam Peters, per ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter.

Given his role in the 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan-era run, Peters has been expected to be a hot commodity for a bit. Dodds’ inclusion here, however, is interesting. Mark Davis was impressed with Dodds during his previous meeting with the Colts’ assistant GM, but he went with a Patriot Way duo. After bailing on the Dave Ziegler–Josh McDaniels pairing midway through its second season in charge, Davis is reassessing once again.

These interview requests come as the league has learned of the team’s interest in Jim Harbaugh. Considering Harbaugh’s past and polarizing reputation among front offices, the Raiders could be set for a complicated search. Michigan’s natural interest in retaining the top-tier college HC will undoubtedly lead to the former 49ers leader setting both a high salary price and seeking to have a significant say in personnel matters. Both the Raiders and Chargers have shown steady interest in Harbaugh, who is believed to be intrigued by both jobs.

Dodds has been on Chris Ballard‘s Colts staff for the past seven years. While the Colts struggled for a while to pick up the pieces post-Andrew Luck, they built what has been regarded at points as a high-end talent stable around their evolving cast of QBs. Dodds has been a central figure in Indianapolis and has been part of GM interview cycles previously. In addition to the Raiders’ 2022 interest, Dodds turned down a Bears interview request that year. He interviewed with the Steelers in 2022 and Panthers in 2021.

Like Dodds, Peters has been with his current team since 2017. The 49ers brought him over after an eight-year stay in Denver. Peters also turned down the chance to interview for the Cardinals and Titans’ GM jobs last year. He has been mentioned as a John Lynch heir apparent in San Francisco, but after Lynch turned down Amazon in 2022, it is not known if the Hall of Fame safety-turned-exec is eyeing an exit anytime soon. Peters, whom the 49ers elevated to assistant GM in 2021, collected a Super Bowl ring for his Broncos work. In Denver throughout Peyton Manning‘s stay, Peters did join the Broncos during McDaniels’ short stint. That is certainly relevant due to the Raiders showing interest, but Peters has proven successful for a long time since the Broncos fired McDaniels.

Peters is also set to interview with the Commanders, who present an interesting opportunity due to the team’s league-leading cap-space figure and new ownership being in place. Both the Raiders and Commanders have been connected to being interested in hiring a football ops president-level staffer, which would seemingly reduce the GM’s power. That will be something to monitor, as Davis confirmed recently he is interested in such a position. Interim GM Champ Kelly is also on the radar to stay, so it would be quite surprising if the two-year Raiders staffer did not receive an interview. Kelly, however, is also expected to draw outside interest.

Commanders Send Out Five GM Interview Requests

January 8th, 2024 at 1:25pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Commanders have not yet dismissed Martin Mayhew from his GM post, but that has been expected. Owner Josh Harris will take the unusual step of sending out GM interview requests despite the incumbent still residing on staff.

Not long after firing Ron Rivera, Washington’s new ownership sent out five GM interview requests Monday. The team will attempt to meet with Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham and Browns assistant GM Glenn Cook, according to the Washington Post’s Nicki Jhabvala. 49ers assistant GM Adam Peters also received a request, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reports, adding Chiefs assistant GM Mike Borgonzi also garnered one. Eagles assistant GM Alec Halaby did as well, per NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero.

Many staffers listed have been connected to GM vacancies in the past, and have had their names floated as ones to watch in the 2024 hiring cycle. As such, it comes as no surprise that the Commanders will involve them in their transition to a new organizational structure. Former Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers as well as former Vikings GM Rick Spielman are in place as advisors for the search process concerning Washington’s’ next head coach and president of football operations.

Cunningham has been a top GM candidate in recent years. He joined the Eagles’ staff after a lengthy tenure with the Ravens before taking his current Bears posting under Ryan Poles last offseason. Cunningham spoke with the Titans about their vacancy in 2023, and he turned down the Cardinals position. He will no doubt be a leading candidate for teams in need of a new GM this year as well.

Like Cunningham, Peters is considered a name to watch. The 2023 campaign marks his third in his current role with San Francisco, as he spent the previous four seasons as the 49ers’ vice president of player personnel. That came after a lengthy stint with the Broncos, making him an experienced option on the GM market. A personal connection could also be in play with respect to the Commanders’ vacancy.

Peters and Myers have a long history with one another, as noted by Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. That could explain (to an extent) the latter’s inclusion on Harris’ hand-picked search committee to replace Rivera and, eventually, Mayhew. Likely to be significantly in demand this offseason, Peters will be able to afford to be choosey when electing to remain in the Bay Area or depart for a GM opening. He will interview with Washington this week, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.

The Commanders could be an attractive vacancy given Harris’ presence as owner, the team’s signficant cap space heading into free agency and the No. 2 selection in this year’s draft. A rebuild will be required, and the lack of a head coach certainly leaves the franchise with a degree of uncertainty, though. When speaking to the media on Monday, Harris said he intends to have a new head of football operations in place before a HC. The timeline along which a GM will be brought in will be worth watching closely.

Sam Robinson contributed to this post.

Brian Burns Still Aiming To Be Paid Like Top-Tier Edge Rusher

January 8th, 2024 at 1:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

Brian Burns did not receive an invite to another Pro Bowl and saw his sack count drop noticeably from the 2022 season, but the Panthers are still believed to have the free agent-to-be in their plans. Carolina’s recent history with Burns still gives him leverage, and he intends to use it.

The Panthers are expected to apply the franchise tag on Burns, but potential negotiations may be complicated now. The GM that had run the negotiations since Burns became extension-eligible, Scott Fitterer, received his walking papers Monday morning. A new staff will assess Burns’ value, but he has not changed his stance since the Panthers’ summer negotiations fizzled.

The Ron Rivera-era first-round pick said Monday (via ESPN’s David Newton) he is still aiming to be paid among the highest-earning edge defenders. Burns’ lofty ask this offseason was believed to have checked in around $30MM per year. That proved too much for Fitterer’s liking, but his decision-making gave Burns tremendous leverage.

Fitterer famously turned down a Rams offer that included two first-round picks and a third for Burns, and the since-fired GM also refused to include Burns in trade talks with the Bears for the No. 1 pick last March. With Nick Bosa‘s $34MM-per-year extension changing the edge market, the Panthers were unable to hammer out a deal. Fitterer also balked at trade overtures this year.

With the Panthers using a 3-4 base defense in recent years, Burns may soon find himself in the linebacker/defensive end debate the NFL’s outdated franchise tag formula often presents edge rushers. The linebacker tag is expected to come in around $18.5MM in 2024, the D-end tag around $20.1MM. That has spurred grievances in recent years, but Burns’ salary ask will be the headline item here.

Bosa’s re-up changed the game for edge rushers, and it should be expected to produce more movement on that market this coming offseason. Prior to Bosa’s monster 49ers contract, T.J. Watt‘s $28MM-AAV deal topped the edge defender list for two years. Burns, who has just one season with double-digit sacks, has not proven himself to be in that class of pass rusher. He finished with eight sacks this season; that total is only the fourth-best of his career. Burns’ 46 career sacks rank 12th in the NFL since 2019.

The Panthers’ defense fared far better than the team’s disjointed offense, however, and Burns held up for 16 games. He should be in position to command a big-ticket deal, but with the Panthers having the tag to keep the Florida State alum off the market, it would not surprise if the sides’ stalemate continues — unless Burns drops his asking price — into the summer. While Burns wants to stay with the Panthers, this situation could be complicated for a while.

Chargers C Corey Linsley Expected To Retire

January 8th, 2024 at 12:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

Corey Linsley spent most of this season on the reserve/NFI list, stripping the Chargers’ offensive line of an All-Pro talent. Exiting his abbreviated age-32 season, Linsley is not likely to come back.

A heart-related issue prompted the Chargers to move Linsley off the roster in September, and the 10-year veteran center said Monday he is “99%” likely to retire, per The Athletic’s Daniel Popper. Linsley has spent the past three seasons with the Chargers, coming to Los Angeles after a long run with the Packers.

A first-team All-Pro in 2020 and a second-teamer in 2021, Linsley has done well for himself in terms of accolades and career earnings. But he is now expected to prioritize his health and walk away. Although the Chargers played without Linsley for much of the season, this will create a major need for the now-retooling team up front.

During an offseason in which the Chargers overhauled their offensive line, Linsley signed a five-year, $62.5MM deal. At the time of signing, that represented an AAV record for centers. The Chargers signed Linsley and Matt Feiler to go with first-round pick Rashawn Slater that year. Building up their front around Justin Herbert‘s rookie contract, the Bolts assembled an intriguing O-line. The group has been unable to stay healthy, however. Slater missed much of the 2022 season, while Linsley’s non-emergent heart condition kept him off the field for all but three games in 2023.

Linsley did much better as a free agent than he did on his first extension. The 2014 fifth-round pick signed a three-year, $25.5MM extension with the Packers in 2017. Green Bay used the Ohio State alum as an immediate starter, and he operated as the team’s snapper during three seasons that ended in the NFC championship game (2014, 2019, 2020). Pro Football Focus rated Linsley as a top-10 center from 2018-20. Centers are almost never franchise-tagged, with all O-line positions being grouped together on the tag, so Linsley hit the market rather than sign a second Packers extension in 2021.

PFF rated Linsley as the NFL’s No. 2 overall center in ’21 and kept him as a top-10 snapper last season, a Bolts playoff year. The Chargers used Will Clapp as their primary center following Linsley’s move off the roster this season, deploying the ex-Saints blocker as a first-stringer in 11 games. Clapp, however, ended the season on IR. Former fifth-round pick Brenden Jaimes finished the season as the Bolts’ snapper. PFF rated Clapp 28th among centers. Clapp is due for free agency in March, while Jaimes’ rookie contract runs through 2024.

Unless Linsley changes his mind, he will conclude his career with 132 starts. Linsley’s 99 starts as a Packer are the fifth-most by a center in franchise history. The Ohio native stands to finish his career with more than $66MM in earnings.

Dennis Allen Expects To Remain Saints HC

January 8th, 2024 at 12:43pm CST by Adam La Rose

As news continues to pour in regarding coaching and general manager changes, no such shifts seem to be looming in New Orleans. Saints head coach Dennis Allen said on Monday (via ESPN’s Katherine Terrell) that he expects to remain in place for 2024.

Like the rest of the NFC South, the Saints were the subject of speculation regarding their head coaching future throughout the year. Allen had been reported as being on the hot seat, something which came as little surprise given the team’s offensive struggles in particular. More recent signs did point, however, to Allen being safe regardless of New Orleans’ end to the campaign.

The 51-year-old was promoted to head coach in 2022 to replace Sean Payton. The move came after he had spent the past seven years on New Orleans’ staff as defensive coordinator, and that unit has remained strong over the past two campaigns. Shortcomings at the quarterback position were a talking point this past offseason, though, and the team made a major move in the form of adding quarterback Derek Carr.

By and large, the four-time Pro Bowler did not live up to the expectations generated by his four-year, $150MM pact. A number of issues contributed to his struggles early in the year in particular as he and the team’s skill-position corps dealt with injuries and the season-opening suspension to running back Alvin Kamara. New Orleans finished the year ranked only 13th in passing yards per game and 15th in total offense (although the team managed to check in at ninth in scoring).

For that reason, changes to the offensive staff have been mentioned as a distinct possibility. OC Pete Carmichael could be on the hot seat, although no firm decisions on his fate have been made yet. The Saints improved in Allen’s second year at the helm, posting a 9-8 record in 2023 after going 7-10 the year before. The veteran-laden squad was unable to win an underwhelming NFC South once again, though, which represents a point of consternation.

In spite of that, Allen (who has yet to receive an official vote of confidence at this point) appears to be on track for a third year in charge. Several key offseason decisions lie ahead, and the franchise will no doubt continue its annual tradition of signficant contract restructures this winter. While changes will be made in some capacity, continuity on the sidelines can be expected.

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