LeCharles Bentley Rejoins Saints in Eye-Opening Front Office Position

'I enjoy being able to serve the game and also be able to do so at a much higher level'

Now this is cool. On Monday, the New Orleans Saints announced that former two-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman LeCharles Bentley will be returning to the team not as a coach or player, but as a "personnel and performance consultant."

Drafted by the Saints in the second round out of Ohio State back in 2002, Bentley is the only offensive lineman in team history to be chosen for the Pro Bowl at two different positions, first as a right guard (in 2003) and later at center (2005). Unfortunately, a knee injury cut short what looked to be a star-studded career, but Bentley has gone on to become a successful personal trainer for some of the league's best offensive linemen. He also works with the league office in New York as an advisor on player performance and development. The new role Saints general manager Mickey Loomis has outlined for him sounds unique.

"I think the biggest thing Mickey is asking me to do is just kind of view the landscape of what's happening in the building, where I can add value in the evaluation process and development of players," Bentley told NewOrleansSaints.com team reporter John DeShazier. "I've spent a lot of time watching film, so I've kind of hit multiple areas. I've spent time in the weight room, I've spent time on the field, I've spent time upstairs being able to assess and evaluate players and I also sit in meetings.

"I'm touching multiple places and for me, I really enjoy that because it's a challenge. But it also aligns with my personal skill sets. I don't want to get into coaching, or have aspirations of being a coach. But I enjoy being able to serve the game and also be able to do so at a much higher level."

Other former players are still working in the organization as position coaches, like future Pro Football Hall of Fame right guard Jahri Evans. Others work in the front office and scouting department like longtime Saints tight end Josh Hill. After spending ten years with the Saints as a player, Fred McAfee has worked in player development for 17 years, and currently holds the title of vice president of player engagement. Bentley stressed that his ability to communicate with players is different than with coaches, as "it's peer-to-peer engagement" given his resume.

And for Bentley, the opportunity to work with Loomis again, as well as the general manager who drafted him in Randy Mueller, is a surreal experience: "To be under their tutelage in another chapter of life is a bit surreal. I really appreciate this time because it's a different season of my life, and I'm enjoying it. So to be able to kind of kick off that next chapter back at home – where else would be a better place to do so?"