Randy Mueller is set to return to the Saints more than two decades after his tenure in the organization came to an end. New Orleans’ former general manager is re-joining the team’s front office as a full-time advisor, NOLA.com’s Jeff Duncan reports.
Mueller was with the team during the draft in an unofficial capacity, Duncan notes. He also attended training camp, so this move will formalize a working relationship which was already in place. Mueller – who is very close with current GM Mickey Loomis – will spend most of his time in his new role assisting the pro and college scouting departments.
The 63-year-old served as the Saints’ general manager for the 2000 and 2001 seasons. He was at the helm during New Orleans’ first postseason win, and his debut campaign in the GM role saw him earn Executive of the Year honors. His firing after a 7-9 campaign the following year led to Loomis (whom Mueller had hired) taking over as general manager. Loomis has remained in place ever since.
Mueller landed a second NFL GM gig in 2005 when he took charge of the Dolphins. He held that title for three seasons, during which time Miami posted a record of 16-32 (with 15 of those losses coming in 2007). The end of his stint with the Dolphins was immediately followed by a spot in the Chargers’ front office. Mueller worked as senior executive of football operations with the Bolts from 2008-18.
This move will allow Mueller to return to the NFL ranks for the first time since his Chargers stint. His most recent front office gig came in the XFL, when he served as the Seattle Sea Dragons’ director of player personnel. Now, Mueller will return to New Orleans as one of three ex-GMs assisting Loomis this season. The Saints hired Dave Ziegler (who guided the Raiders from 2022 to the midway point of last season) in June, adding him to a staff already including Jeff Ireland (who replaced Mueller as Dolphins GM and remained in that role through 2018).