The New Orleans Saints are entering a critical phase in their franchise’s history. After years of dominance under legendary head coach **Sean Payton**, the team is looking for a new direction, even as they transition under current head coach **Dennis Allen**. Though the Saints have been competitive, they’ve faced their fair share of challenges, especially when it comes to offensive consistency and developing a strong identity on both sides of the ball.
As the Saints navigate through this transitional period, one of the most pressing questions is how the team will address the future of its coaching staff. With Dennis Allen’s seat growing warmer due to the Saints’ up-and-down performances, many are beginning to question whether New Orleans might go in a different direction at the top. If that happens, **Aaron Glenn**, the Saints’ former defensive coordinator and current defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, has long been seen as a possible candidate to return to New Orleans as a head coach.
However, a rising candidate could complicate those plans: **Joe Brady**. The former Saints’ offensive assistant, who briefly served as the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers, has made waves as a potential candidate to return to New Orleans in a more prominent role. With both coaches tied to New Orleans’ recent history and culture, it’s a fascinating scenario that could see Brady potentially steal the Saints job from Aaron Glenn, the favorite.
### Aaron Glenn: The Favorite with Ties to New Orleans
Aaron Glenn is no stranger to the New Orleans Saints. Before becoming the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, Glenn played for the Saints from 2001 to 2004 as a talented cornerback. His time in New Orleans laid the foundation for a long and respected coaching career. After his playing days were over, Glenn became known for his ability to teach defensive back play, eventually being hired by the Lions as their defensive coordinator.
In his time with Detroit, Glenn has quickly gained recognition for his work with the Lions’ defense. Under Glenn’s leadership, Detroit’s defensive unit showed vast improvement, particularly in 2022, when they turned from one of the NFL’s worst units into one of the more competitive defenses in the league. The development of young talent like **Aidan Hutchinson**, the standout rookie edge rusher, and **Jeff Okudah**, the former top cornerback pick, gave the Lions’ defense a new identity and solidified Glenn’s reputation as a rising star in the coaching ranks.
Given his success in Detroit, Glenn has been mentioned as a potential head coaching candidate, and many believe he could be the natural successor in New Orleans due to his deep ties to the city, his familiarity with the culture, and his work developing defenses. Saints fans also have a lot of admiration for Glenn, especially considering his role in the team’s defensive growth during the early 2000s.
However, Glenn faces stiff competition, especially from one former Saints coach who is currently making headlines: Joe Brady.
### Joe Brady: The Rising Star with a Familiar Face
Joe Brady’s name became synonymous with offensive innovation after his meteoric rise through the coaching ranks. Brady first gained national attention in 2019 when he was hired as the **passing game coordinator** for the LSU Tigers, where he helped develop one of the most prolific offenses in college football history under head coach **Ed Orgeron**. That year, LSU quarterback **Joe Burrow** set numerous records, leading the Tigers to a national championship, and Brady’s role in that offensive explosion was vital.
Brady’s success at LSU led him to an NFL opportunity, and in 2020, he became the offensive coordinator for the **Carolina Panthers**. Initially, expectations for Brady in Carolina were high, but things quickly soured. Despite having talented players like **Christian McCaffrey**, the Panthers’ offense struggled under Brady’s leadership. After just two seasons, Brady was fired by Carolina in 2022, despite still having potential as a young and innovative mind.
After his time in Carolina, Brady didn’t leave the spotlight. He took a role with the **Buffalo Bills** in 2022, joining one of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL as their quarterbacks coach. Working with **Josh Allen**, Brady could further enhance his reputation as a quarterback whisperer, a skill set the Saints could greatly use given their uncertainty at the quarterback position.
It’s here that Brady’s connection to New Orleans comes full circle. He’s already proven his worth as an offensive mind in the NFL, and his potential return to New Orleans could spark a shift in the Saints’ offensive philosophy. In fact, many have speculated that Brady could be an ideal fit for New Orleans if the Saints look to move on from Dennis Allen, especially given his experience working under Sean Payton and his familiarity with the New Orleans offensive system.
### The Battle for the Saints’ Head Coaching Job
At this moment, the New Orleans Saints are stuck in a bit of a crossroads. Dennis Allen, who was promoted to head coach following Sean Payton’s departure in 2022, has yet to prove he can maintain the same level of success that the Saints enjoyed under Payton’s guidance. While the team has remained competitive, it has also struggled with consistency, especially on offense, where quarterback play has been up and down. The Saints are a team built on defense, but their inability to find stability at the quarterback position and their offensive struggles have left the franchise in limbo.
Enter Aaron Glenn and Joe Brady.
Both men have strong ties to New Orleans and bring different strengths to the table. Glenn’s ability to develop and lead defensive units is undeniable, and with his track record in Detroit, he could be seen as the perfect candidate to take over the Saints, especially if the team continues to excel defensively. Glenn’s return to New Orleans would provide the franchise with a familiar face who understands the city’s culture and is well-respected within the organization.
On the other hand, Joe Brady’s potential for success lies in his offensive acumen. The Saints have been in need of offensive innovation and a modern, high-powered offense that can compete in today’s NFL. Brady’s experience working with dynamic quarterbacks like Joe Burrow in college and Josh Allen in the NFL would be invaluable to the Saints, particularly if the team is looking to reboot its offense and find a long-term answer at quarterback. Brady’s familiarity with the Saints’ offensive philosophy under Sean Payton is an added benefit, and his presence could jump-start the offense in a way that Allen, whose offense has been lackluster, has not been able to.
### Why Joe Brady Could Steal the Job from Aaron Glenn
While Aaron Glenn is certainly a strong candidate for the head coach position due to his defensive pedigree and ties to New Orleans, there are several reasons why **Joe Brady could end up stealing the Saints job** from him.
1. **Offensive Needs**: The Saints have long been a defensive-minded team, but the NFL is now an offensive-driven league. While Glenn’s defensive expertise is commendable, New Orleans has had issues generating consistent offense, particularly since the departure of Drew Brees. Joe Brady’s innovative offensive mind could be the answer to solving those problems, especially with a team that is looking for more explosiveness and quarterback development.
2. **A New Era for the Saints**: The Saints’ franchise has already experienced the seismic change of losing Sean Payton, and the team may feel it’s time for a fresh start in terms of offensive philosophy. Brady represents that new wave of offensive thinking, and after the team’s struggles post-Payton, his modern approach could be just what the team needs.
3. **Quarterback Development**: Joe Brady’s work with **Joe Burrow** and **Josh Allen** demonstrates his ability to develop and nurture elite quarterbacks. Given the Saints’ uncertainty at quarterback, Brady’s ability to maximize talent at that position could make him the more attractive option for a team looking to stabilize its signal-caller position for the long term.
4. **Success Under Payton**: Brady was involved in the Saints’ offense under Sean Payton’s tutelage, and his familiarity with the inner workings of the organization gives him an edge in terms of continuity. New Orleans may see this as an opportunity to return to the Payton-era offensive success with Brady at the helm.
### Conclusion
Though Aaron Glenn has built a strong case to return to New Orleans as head coach, the rise of Joe Brady as a viable candidate could complicate that trajectory. Brady’s offensive mind, quarterback development skills, and history with the Saints could make him an ideal fit for a team looking to revamp its offensive identity and find its next great signal-caller.
In a time of transition for the New Orleans Saints, both Glenn and Brady represent the future of the franchise—but it’s Brady’s offensive potential and ties to the organization that could ultimately give him the edge. If New Orleans decides it’s time for a change, it might be the younger, offensive-minded Brady who steals the job from Glenn, ushering in a new era of Saints football.