The NFL offseason is a pivotal time for every team, and for the New Orleans Saints, this year’s search for a head coach is more crucial than ever. After the departure of Sean Payton in 2022, the Saints entered a new era—one that was supposed to bring fresh perspectives, new strategies, and the next step in rebuilding a franchise that had long been competitive under Payton. However, the team’s search for a new leader hasn’t been as straightforward as expected, and now it seems that New Orleans may find itself in a unique position: running unopposed for the remaining candidates on the head coaching market.
With several high-profile coaching jobs already filled, New Orleans has a chance to secure its next head coach without facing fierce competition from other franchises. But what does that mean for the future of the Saints? Will this give them the flexibility to make the right choice, or does it signal an underlying problem with the current state of the organization? In this blog post, we’ll take a deep dive into why the Saints might be running unopposed in their coaching search, what factors are shaping this dynamic, and what it means for the team as it seeks to build a championship contender again.
### **The Saints’ Current Coaching Landscape: Why Are They Running Unopposed?**
The New Orleans Saints are in a delicate position in their coaching search. The team has a storied history, with the legendary Sean Payton leading them to a Super Bowl win and sustained success for 16 seasons. However, after Payton’s unexpected departure, the team’s future has felt uncertain, especially with its aging roster, salary cap restrictions, and inconsistent quarterback play. Dennis Allen, promoted from defensive coordinator in 2022, has had a mixed tenure, and many fans and analysts have begun questioning whether he’s the long-term solution to lead the franchise into the future.
In this context, the Saints’ coaching search is critical. But the timing and situation of the franchise have led to the perception that they might be running unopposed for the best candidates available. Several factors contribute to this unusual circumstance.
#### **1. Limited High-Profile Coaching Openings**
Unlike years past, when coaching vacancies were abundant and many high-profile teams were competing for the same coaches, 2023 has seen a more limited pool of job openings. While several NFL franchises made moves to find their new leaders (such as the Carolina Panthers hiring Frank Reich or the Denver Broncos opting for Sean Payton himself), the number of premier head coaching jobs available has been smaller.
This leaves the Saints in a potentially advantageous position. Teams like the Arizona Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts, while in need of new leadership, might not be seen as more attractive destinations than New Orleans, which still has a solid fanbase, competitive history, and a stable ownership structure under Gayle Benson. However, fewer openings mean fewer top-tier candidates are circulating, and those who remain may have limited options or may be willing to take on a more challenging situation like that in New Orleans.
#### **2. The Saints’ Roster and Cap Situation**
One of the primary reasons the Saints might be running unopposed for certain coaching candidates is their current roster and salary cap situation. The Saints are a team in transition: while they still have talented players, especially on defense, the roster is aging and there are key positions—most notably quarterback—that remain in flux.
From a salary cap perspective, New Orleans has been among the most cap-strapped teams in the league. For the past several seasons, they have employed creative methods to push money down the line, but the result is a lack of financial flexibility in the short term. This can make the job less attractive to potential candidates who would prefer a situation where they have the ability to sign key free agents or rework contracts for more immediate success.
This dynamic could also explain why some candidates might look elsewhere, where they might have the ability to build from scratch or inherit a more financially stable roster. It could be that some of the top names on the Saints’ radar are waiting for teams with better cap situations or younger rosters to become available.
#### **3. The Coaching Market is Thinning**
Another factor contributing to the Saints potentially running unopposed is the limited pool of proven head coaching candidates available. Over the past few years, many of the most coveted coaching prospects, such as Eric Bieniemy or Sean Payton, have either taken head coaching jobs elsewhere or opted to stay put. The candidates remaining are often those with experience but might not have the same level of recognition or recent success as others.
Coaches like defensive coordinator Vic Fangio (formerly of the Denver Broncos), offensive coordinator candidates such as Mike Kafka (New York Giants) and Brian Callahan (Cincinnati Bengals), or even former NFL head coaches looking for a second chance are still available, but they may not fit the specific needs or culture of the Saints. With fewer candidates on the market, New Orleans might not have the same competitive environment it once would have during a typical coaching search.
Additionally, some prospective candidates may be hesitant about taking on a team in the midst of a rebuild or transition, especially given the financial and personnel constraints the Saints are working with. This leaves the Saints’ search more open-ended, as their situation could be considered less appealing compared to franchises with fresh starts or less financial baggage.
#### **4. The Saints’ Internal Stability**
While many teams go through upheaval with constant changes in management or ownership, New Orleans is known for its stability. Since the passing of longtime owner Tom Benson, his wife Gayle Benson has continued to provide stable leadership for the team. The general manager, Mickey Loomis, has been with the franchise since 2000, and his steady hand has guided the team through some challenging times.
This organizational stability can be appealing to coaching candidates. Many coaches are drawn to franchises where ownership and management are committed to long-term success and willing to support them in building a competitive team. With Loomis still in charge and the Benson family maintaining ownership, the Saints can present themselves as a relatively stable environment for a new head coach to come in and build for the future.
### **What Does This Mean for the Future of the Franchise?**
The possibility that New Orleans may be running unopposed for its remaining head coaching candidates could be both an opportunity and a challenge. If the team is able to identify and hire a coach who is the right fit for their current roster, the Saints could make the necessary adjustments to stay competitive. However, there are several key factors that need to be considered for the franchise to thrive in the years to come.
#### **1. Making the Right Coaching Choice**
The most pressing decision for the Saints is ensuring they hire the right person for the job. If the team ultimately ends up with limited competition for their coaching candidates, they might be able to bring in a coach who is not just a fit on paper but has the right mentality and vision for New Orleans’ long-term success. However, the Saints must also ensure that they choose someone who understands the constraints they face and is ready to adapt to the realities of rebuilding while staying competitive.
The success of the hire will be measured not just in wins and losses, but in how well the coach develops young players, handles the salary cap situation, and leads the team through what could be a few more years of roster turnover before the franchise is back to its Super Bowl-contending ways.
#### **2. Potential for a Reset**
While the Saints are not in full rebuild mode, they are certainly not a team on the brink of contention either. The next head coach may have to navigate a difficult transition period in which veteran players are phased out, and new stars must emerge. The team needs someone who can build and develop talent from within while keeping the squad competitive. This means focusing on younger players, particularly at the quarterback position, where the future remains uncertain.
Moreover, a strong, forward-thinking coach could also help the Saints get ahead of the curve with new offensive and defensive philosophies, creating an identity that is distinct from the Payton era but still rooted in the team’s culture.
#### **3. The Search Could Reflect Larger Organizational Struggles**
The Saints’ struggle to secure top-tier coaching candidates may be indicative of larger organizational challenges. As mentioned earlier, the tight salary cap and lack of flexibility in roster building can limit a coach’s ability to work with the tools they need to succeed. If the Saints cannot address these systemic issues, they may continue to struggle to attract top-tier coaching talent in the future.
If this search ultimately yields a lesser-known or less experienced candidate due to the market conditions, the Saints will need to be patient. This isn’t a job that can be solved overnight, and success will require smart draft decisions, player development, and the ability to adapt to changing team dynamics.
### **Conclusion: The Stakes Are High for New Orleans**
Running unopposed for the remaining head coaching candidates could work out in the Saints’ favor if they are able to identify the right person to lead the team into the future. However, it also presents challenges, as the team must navigate a roster that isn’t quite ready for contention and must find someone who is capable of managing the roster’s transition while keeping the team competitive.
The next head coach will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the franchise. Whether New Orleans can rise to the challenge and rebuild into a perennial contender will depend largely on their choice and the support they provide that coach moving forward.
