New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints are hiring defensive coordinator Dennis Allen as their new head coach following the resignation of Sean Payton, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Monday.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network noted the two sides have agreed to terms on a deal.

Payton spent 15 years as head coach for the Saints, but there was some uncertainty regarding his status once the 2021 regular season came to an end.

The 58-year-old Payton ended the uncertainty on Jan. 25 when he announced he was stepping away from the Saints and said he had no plans to coach anywhere in 2022.

Payton expressed interest in a career as an NFL television analyst and said "retirement is not the right word" for what he was doing, suggesting a return to coaching in the future could be in the cards.

Payton's departure left a huge hole in the organization, as he led the Saints to unprecedented success from 2006 to 2021.

Overall, Payton posted a 152-89 record during the regular season with seven NFC South titles and nine playoff appearances.

Along with quarterback Drew Brees, he also led New Orleans to its first and only Super Bowl win in 2010.

The Saints narrowly missed the playoffs in 2021 with a 9-8 record, as life after the retired Brees proved to be difficult.

Jameis Winston, Trevor Siemian and Taysom Hill all started games at quarterback for the Saints, while No. 1 wide receiver Michael Thomas missed the entire season because of injury.

Few people are better equipped to handle offensive adversity than Payton, but with Payton no longer in the picture, that responsibility will now fall on the shoulders of Allen.

While the Saints were primarily known for their offensive success under Payton, it can be argued that the defense has largely carried the load in recent years.

Allen has been a big part of the Saints' defensive success, as he has been the defensive coordinator since 2015.

With Allen at the helm, the Saints ranked fourth in total defense and fifth in scoring defense in 2020 and followed that up by ranking seventh in total defense and fourth in scoring defense in 2021.

Allen also has previous head coaching experience, although he struggled in going 8-28 in parts of three seasons with the Oakland Raiders from 2012 to 2014.

There is little doubt that Allen has earned another opportunity, however, and the work he has done with New Orleans' defense provides some hope that he can keep the Saints competitive moving forward.

Odell Beckham Jr. considered returning to his home state before he decided to join the Los Angeles Rams this season.

Beckham, a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, told reporters Monday he was "very close" to signing with the New Orleans Saints following his departure from the Cleveland Browns.

"It just didn’t feel like the right time," he said. "Right place. Wrong time."

Beckham expressed a similar sentiment about the New England Patriots, confirming he spoke with Patriots head coach Bill Belichick:

The three-time Pro Bowler cleared waivers on Nov. 9 and ESPN's Dianna Russini reported one day later the Saints were emerging as one of three finalists to sign him.

Between growing up in the state and later playing for LSU, the opportunity to call New Orleans his professional home was probably tantalizing.

Competitively, though, the Saints didn't have a whole lot going for them at the time, at least for a player who presumably wanted to sign for a contender. Jameis Winston had been lost for the season to a torn ACL, so a 5-3 record was undercut by Trevor Siemian serving as the starting quarterback.

New Orleans wound up winning four of its final five games, but that wasn't enough to clinch a playoff berth.

The absence of Michael Thomas meant Beckham might have occupied a larger role in the Saints offense than he had with the Rams. In eight games with Los Angeles, he had 27 receptions for 305 yards and five touchdowns. His 38.1 receiving yards per game were more than half of his career average (76.7).

But Beckham didn't select the Rams because they could promise him the most touches. Instead, Los Angeles has provided him the collective success he couldn't attain with the Browns and New York Giants.

If the 29-year-old had to do his free agency all over again, it's difficult to see why he'd do anything differently.

The Las Vegas Police Department released its report on the arrest of Alvin Kamara on Monday after the New Orleans Saints running back was arrested Sunday and charged with battery resulting in substantial bodily harm.

The police report states that Darnell Greene said Kamara prevented him from entering an elevator by placing his hand on Greene's chest. When Greene knocked Kamara's hand away, he told police he was "pushed hard" and "hit and kicked by multiple people" to the point that he lost consciousness and was hospitalized with an orbital fracture of the right eye.

Greene said he could only remember one person from the group that allegedly assaulted him. This person was later identified as Kamara. 

The running back told police that he was with his girlfriend, his assistant and two of his friends, and that Greene called one of his friends "ugly" and said to Kamara, "I'll whoop your ass too."

Kamara said he then saw a fight break out next to him, saw Greene get punched and threw a couple of punches at Greene because he thought Greene had done something to his friends and was trying to run away, so he chased him down and punched him. 

The police report stated that video of the incident disputed Kamara's last claim, however, and that Greene didn't run away. Instead, video reportedly showed that Kamara punched Greene after one of the running back's associates punched him.

The 26-year-old running back was arrested and held on $5,000 bail, with a court appearance set for Monday afternoon. He was reportedly released after posting bond:

The alleged assault came a day before Kamara appeared in the NFL's Pro Bowl Game at Allegiant Stadium. Kamara is a five-time Pro Bowler who has spent his entire career with the Saints. 

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara was arrested Sunday on a charge of battery resulting in substantial bodily harm, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department announced.

The alleged battery occurred at a Las Vegas nightclub Saturday night, and Kamara was taken into custody after Sunday's Pro Bowl at Allegiant Stadium.

The LVMPD said it responded to a Las Vegas hospital around 5:50 p.m. Saturday, and a person reported being battered at a nightclub. The police later identified Kamara as the suspect, and he is being held at Clark County Detention Center.

No other details have been released.

In Nevada, battery with substantial bodily harm is a felony, and if convicted, Kamara could face at least one year in a state prison and a $10,000 fine.

Kamara, 26, was selected by the Saints in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft. He has become a staple in the offense as the team's top running back and earned a spot in this year's Pro Bowl after rushing for 898 yards and four touchdowns on 240 carries and catching 47 passes for 439 yards and five scores in 13 games.

Kamara had four catches for 23 yards in Sunday's Pro Bowl. The AFC defeated the NFC 41-35.

The five-time Pro Bowler signed a five-year, $75 million contract extension with the Saints in 2020.

Will this finally be the year Eric Bieniemy is offered a head coaching position? 

The New Orleans Saints are reportedly eyeing the Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator for their vacant head coaching position, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. An interview could take place Saturday, per Fowler. 

Bieniemy has been interviewed for several head coaching vacancies over the last few offseasons but has never been offered a job as a head coach. He's seemingly had minimal interest this year's hiring cycle, too.

Before the Saints' reported interest, the 52-year-old had only been connected to the Denver Broncos head coaching position, which has since been filled by former Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. 

Bieniemy's lack of head coaching chances was cited as evidence of racist and discriminatory hiring practices in a lawsuit filed against the NFL and its teams by former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores earlier this week. 

The lawsuit points out the fact that people with less experience have been hired over Bieniemy in the past. That includes the New York Giants, who hired Joe Judge over Bieniemy ahead of the 2020 season. 

"Without question, Mr. Bieniemy has the pedigree, track record and reputation to make him a sought-after Head Coach. However, despite being interviewed for approximately 20 vacant positions over the last five years, no team has extended Mr. Bieniemy an offer," the lawsuit says.

Bieniemy is in his ninth season with the Chiefs, fourth as offensive coordinator, and is in charge of one of the NFL's most explosive offenses with Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce. He previously served as the team's running backs coach from 2013-17. 

The Saints are searching for a new head coach after Sean Payton stepped down last month following 15 seasons as head coach. New Orleans has interviewed three candidates thus far, including Flores, former Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson and Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. 

The New Orleans Saints are reportedly adding another name to their list of head coaching candidates.

According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the Saints are expected to set up an interview this week with Darren Rizzi, who has been New Orleans' special teams coordinator since 2019.

Rizzi held the same position with the Miami Dolphins for nine years before he joined New Orleans. He interviewed for Miami's head coaching position in 2019, but the team ultimately hired Brian Flores and Rizzi departed for the Saints.

Prior to his run in the NFL, Rizzi was a college head coach at New Haven (D-II) for three seasons and Rhode Island for one year in 2008. The 51-year-old had a career record of 18-23.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported earlier that New Orleans has lined up an interview Tuesday with Flores, whom the Dolphins fired despite back-to-back winning seasons.

Rapoport added that Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is set to meet with the team Wednesday, and Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will interview for the head coaching position that same day or Thursday.

Former New Orleans head coach Sean Payton announced Tuesday that he was stepping down after 15 seasons. While he did leave the door open for a potential return to coaching, Payton said he will definitely be away from football in 2022.

The next coach of the Saints will have a tough act to follow after Payton's run of success. He coached the team to a 152-89 record with nine playoff appearances and a victory in Super Bowl XLIV.

The New Orleans Saints reportedly interviewed former Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson as they continue searching for a replacement for Sean Payton.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the news Monday, noting the Saints plan to interview former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and their own defensive coordinator, Dennis Allen, later this week.

Allen has been viewed as the favorite to replace Payton since he stepped down last Tuesday, but the Saints are going through a full coaching search.

Pederson went 42-37-1 in five years with the Eagles, winning Super Bowl LII and making three playoff appearances. He was fired after posting a 4-11-1 record during the 2020 season.

The Saints are facing a likely rebuild this offseason. They are projected to be $76.2 million over the cap, with several contract restructurings or outright releases of veterans surely coming soon. The team will likely explore trading wide receiver Michael Thomas, who missed the entire 2021 season after undergoing ankle surgery, as one way to alleviate cap issues. 

Quarterback is also a significant question mark with Jameis Winston set for free agency in the midst of recovering from an ACL tear. Taysom Hill is the top quarterback remaining on the depth chart, but it's unclear if a new coach would be as enamored with Hill's dynamic-but-flawed skill set under center. 

Any coach who takes the Saints job will have to go into the situation with eyes open regarding the cap situation and the short-term struggles that are almost certain to follow. 

The New Orleans Saints are reportedly scheduled to interview Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn about their head coaching vacancy.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Saturday the interview is set to happen at next week's Senior Bowl as the Saints begin to ramp up their efforts to find a replacement for Sean Payton, who stepped down Tuesday.

Glenn, a former NFL cornerback, played for the Saints in 2008. He returned to New Orleans as a defensive backs coach from 2016 through 2020.

The 49-year-old Texas native was a standout corner selected by the New York Jets in the first round of the 1994 draft after being voted an All-American his final season at Texas A&M.

Glenn earned three Pro Bowl selections, two with the Jets and one with the Houston Texans, during a 15-year playing career that ended after his season with the Saints. He's filled several roles since hanging up his cleats.

He spent a short time as a general manager for the Houston Stallions, an indoor team in the Lone Star Football League, before returning to the NFL as a scout for the New York Jets in 2012.

Glenn shifted to coaching in 2014 as a member of the Cleveland Browns staff. That was followed by his stint as the Saints DBs coach before he took a coordinator job for the first time in Detroit.

The Lions finished 29th in total defense in 2021. While they still ranked near the bottom of the league, they gave up 40 fewer yards per game (379.8 compared to 419.8) than in 2020, when they rated last in the NFL in that category.

After Detroit's season ended, he left the door open to exploring head coaching opportunities but said his focus remained on his current role.

"If it happens, those things happen, man," Glenn told reporters. "But listen, this is a job that I have right now, and I want to be the best I can be at it. And I want to be the best that ever came through Detroit. I want you guys to say that at some point, that he was the best coordinator ever. That's what my goal is."

Other candidates identified by the Saints include their own defensive coordinator, Dennis Allen, former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores and Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich.

New Orleans is getting a later start to the search than other teams in the market for a new head coach, but with only three hires confirmed so far, there are still plenty of options as five other organizations look to fill the void as well.

The New Orleans Saints aren't planning to enter a full rebuild following Sean Payton's retirement, general manager Mickey Loomis told reporters Friday. 

Loomis mentioned several times that the Saints have a good roster and culture they'd like to build from, whether it be with an in-house or outside coaching candidate. 

Loomis made similar comments one year ago when veteran quarterback Drew Brees announced his retirement, telling reporters the team would not enter a rebuild despite losing its most valuable player.

"Listen, we've got a great roster," Loomis said at the time. "And I can't foresee a circumstance where we're not going to say, 'Man, we're gonna do everything we can to win—win now and compete for a championship." 

Payton had served as New Orleans head coach since 2006. He compiled a 152-89 record and led the team to a Super Bowl title during the 2009 season. Losing him will be significant for the Saints, but the franchise is also likely headed for several other changes. 

If the Saints want to remain competitive for years to come, it might be in their best interest to enter a rebuild. 

The Saints enter the 2022 season without a starting quarterback, and find themselves in a financial trench. New Orleans is currently $74 million over the salary cap and might have to part ways with several star players this offseason in order to become cap compliant. 

And while Loomis says the Saints won't enter a rebuild, this would probably be the best time for the franchise to build up draft capital. Players like Michael Thomas, Cameron Jordan, Alvin Kamara and Malcolm Jenkins would help clear some cap space and undoubtedly provide solid draft compensation. 

It's hard to imagine New Orleans competing with the likes of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC. If the team doesn't rebuild now, then when?