The Saints had two other candidates withdraw from their coaching search, with Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady choosing to stay in Buffalo and Aaron Glenn opting to take the Jets’ head coaching job after a virtual interview with the Saints. Both Brady and Glenn previously were assistant coaches in New Orleans.
Kliff Kingsbury is expected to return for a second season as the Washington Commanders’ offensive coordinator, a move that was anticipated for some time given his comfort level on Dan Quinn’s staff coaching dynamic young quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Multiple outlets reported Tuesday that Kingsbury had attracted interest from the New Orleans Saints for their head-coaching vacancy but that he told them and other NFL teams he would be remaining with Washington. The Saints were the only job left open after Chicago, Dallas, New England, Jacksonville, Las Vegas and the New York Jets hired coaches.
Kliff Kingsbury will return as the Commanders’ offensive coordinator, a move that was anticipated for some time given his comfort level on Dan Quinn’s staff.
The Saints are still searching for a head coach but Kliff Kingsbury may not be interested in the job after his success in Washington.
Aaron Glenn chose the Jets, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport suggested it opens the door for the Saints to add more candidates to their search:
Kingsbury turned down a head coaching interview from the Saints to remain as Washington’s offensive coordinator. Plus, notes on hirings around the NFL.
With the Washington Commanders now eliminated by the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game, their offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has been freed up to complete interviews with teams for coaching positions.
Kingsbury and Brady crossed paths in the NFL two decades ago, when both were in Foxboro under Bill Belichick. In 2003, Brady was in his fourth season with the Patriots and third as a starter. New England drafted Kingsbury out of Texas Tech in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft.
The New York Jets are targeting a young, fast-rising candidate for their quarterbacks coach position under Aaron Glenn.
Kingsbury is not the only name to pull out of consideration for the Saints’ head coaching vacancy. Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady chose to remain in Buffalo, while former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn took the head job with the New York Jets.