The New Orleans Saints have to reckon with finding their next head coach in the 2025 offseason. They could screw this up royally if they don't bring one of their former coaches back to town.
The two names that have come up most frequently in this search are Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, both of whom are receiving major interest from the New York Jets. Brady may have just proven he is the best candidate for the job, however.
Brady's Bills took Sean Payton and his Denver Broncos behind the woodshed in their playoff game 31-7. Josh Allen was superb once again, going 20-26 with 276 yards and two touchdowns through the air. The Bills ran for 210 yards, led by James Cook in the middle of his career year.
Brady beating up Payton and a Vance Joseph defense that was regarded as one of the best units in the league prior to meeting Buffalo should be quite an impressive addition to his resume. If the Saints want to turn things around fast, he could be the best choice to lead this team in 2025.
Bills beating Broncos should make Joe Brady top Saints HC candidate
Brady, who served on Payton's staff early in his coaching career, will never have to buy a drink in Louisiana again after helping LSU win a national championship with one of the best offenses in college football history. His time in Carolina as offensive coordinator seems like more of an aberration than the norm.
Brady's work with Josh Allen this season has vaulted him to MVP status. After throwing 18 picks last season, Allen cut his interceptions down to six while being one of the least-sacked quarterbacks in the league. Derek Carr, or whomever is the starter, will be thrilled to get Brady in the room.
The Saints may be in cap hell with a threadbare roster, but they do have stable ownership and Mickey Loomis in the front office. The NFC South is perhaps the most wide open division in football, and the Saints have enough in the quarterback department to possible wiggle their way up the rankings.
Brady's offensive mind has put together two of the best passing seasons in collegiate and NFL history, and it may only get better from here. At this rate, Brady will only make the Saints look like even bigger fools if they choose not to hire him.