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The New Orleans Saints are deep into the 2022 NFL Offseason. Despite a relatively decent record and finishing the season as 2nd in the NFC South, it wasn't enough to earn them a spot in the playoffs.
There are a lot of things that the Saints need to fix in the offseason in order to have a more successful 2022 season. Quarterback Jameis Winston only played in the first seven games until suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 8. Even backup quarterback Taysom Hill struggled to finish out the regular season. He suffered a foot injury in their season finale and needs surgery to repair it. Hill is questionable for the start of the 2022 Saints Training Camp.
Along with a reliable quarterback, the Saints have a few other key positions to fill. They also need a productive wide receiver, a tackle, and multiple defensive positions. Fortunately, they have the No. 18 and No. 47 overall picks for the 2022 NFL Draft. This should allow the Saints to pick up at least two of the biggest holes in their 53-man roster. They also have plenty of time to sign free agents and work on deals with other teams to adjust their roster.
If the roster isn't the Saints' biggest problem, then what is?
The biggest issue for the Saints moving forward is their head coaching vacancy.
Sean Payton was the head coach of the Saints for 14 years from 2006 to 2022. He, along with quarterback Drew Brees, led the Saints to their first win in franchise history against the Indianapolis Colts in 2010.
He was named the AP Coach of the Year in 2006, had a career head coaching record of 161-97, and led his team to nine playoff runs during his 14 years with the Saints. Unfortunately, Payton retired following the 2021-2022 season, leaving big shoes to fill in New Orleans.
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So far, the Saints have reached out to six potential candidates for the available head coach position, information courtesy of The Saints Wire.
They interviewed Doug Pederson, former Philadelphia Eagles head coach and Super Bowl Champion, on January 30. New Orleans interviewed former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores on February 1, the same day Flores filed a lawsuit against the NFL and its teams.
Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn was scheduled to meet with the Saints on February 2. The Saints' defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and their special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi were also in the mix for interviews scheduled that week.
The Saints also requested an interview with Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, but all signs point to him taking his business elsewhere.
Right now, New Orleans is in deep competition with the Jacksonville Jaguars. They are considering many of the Saints' candidates for their head coaching vacancy, including Leftwich and Pederson. The Houston Texans are on the hunt for a head coach and are considering Flores for their position as well.
The Minnesota Vikings and the Miami Dolphins are also on the market for a head coach, but none of their top candidates duplicate that of the Saints'.
Ultimately, whoever the Saints decide to hire must be prepared to fill the shoes of Payton, and get the franchise back on track.
