Lost in all of the speculation as to who the next coach of teams like the Jets, Bears or even Giants and Jaguars might hire as their new head coach is the fact that the New Orleans Saints have to find a new coach too.
Appearing on Monday Night Countdown yesterday, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter gave an update on the Saints' ongoing coaching search, which began with the firing of Dennis Allen back in November. Schefter reported that there are two candidates that he believes the Saints have the most interest in: Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel.
"One of the candidates expected to be square on their radar will be Aaron Glenn... I also would expect the organization would have some level of interest in Mike Vrabel."
Glenn actually has ties to the Saints, having played for them in 2008 and previously serving as the team's defensive backs coach from 2016 to 2020, but ultimately followed Dan Campbell to Detroit in 2021. And while his defenses aren't exactly elite, his schemes complement the offense nicely.
Vrabel led the Titans to three straight playoff appearances between 2019 and 2021, going 54-45 in six years at the helm.
Both men rank among the top targets as head coaching candidates this coming offseason and are widely expected to get multiple interviews.
It's reached the point where it would be downright shocking if Vrabel didn't get a head coaching job, though the league's trend towards offensive-minded coaches could force Glenn to wait a while longer for his next promotion.
New Orleans find themselves at a bit of a crossroads as a franchise now. While they have Derek Carr as their quarterback, most believe that his best years are behind him and the team will need to start developing their long-term answer at the position.
The Saints have not used a first-round pick on a quarterback since Archie Manning all the way back in 1971, but would only have the 10th pick if the draft started today.
Whoever gets the Saints job might not be able to get their top QB pick right off the bat.
