Jahri Evans is watching the news just like everyone else out at the Senior Bowl, and that's true in a few different ways.
The first way is the ongoing head coaching search, which he says he didn't have a read on when he spoke Tuesday morning. The 41-year-old did say he felt like there'd be an opportunity for him in New Orleans on the staff of whoever the next head coach is chosen to be.
"I think it’s a lot of people’s first go-around with [a full-blown coaching search] in the building," Evans said, "and I’m here now, representing the Saints and my job is to, you know, get my notes on these guys, help these guys be better.”
Evans said he hadn't spoken with any of his fellow assistants who have gotten other jobs, but he he wished them well. OC Klint Kubiak has landed with the Seahawks, who have also requested to interview QBs coach Andrew Janocko. It's likely a few more familiar names on Kubiak's new staff by the time the dust settles. LBs coach Michael Hodges also latched on with the Bengals, while former head coach Dennis Allen is the new defensive coordinator with the Bears.
Saints GM Micky Loomis said earlier this offseason that the new head coach would be allowed to build their staff how they see fit. Evans, entering his third year as an offensive line assistant for the Saints has fielded a few calls expressing interest, but to this point he's playing things out in Saints gear.
"As long as I’m employed, I’ll still be working," he said.
The Saints head coaching search has narrowed in recent days, with Eagles OC Kellen Moore looking to be the favorite, though he can't be hired until after the Super Bowl. Giants OC Mike Kafka, Dolphins OC Anthony Weaver and interim head coach/special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi are the others who have received in-person interviews.
Related
As far as the other waiting game, he knows there's no more work he can do. That'll be his latest shot at a bust in Canton. For the second time Evans is one of 15 modern-era finalists vying for five coveted spots in the Hall of Fame. The list, as is true every year, is an impressive one. This year it includes the like of WRs Reggie Wayne, Steve Smith and Torry Holt, TEs Antonio Gates and QB Eli Manning, among others.
Evans starred for the Saints for 9 seasons before brief stints with the Seahawks and Packers, officially retiring as a member of the Saints after the 2017 season. He saw his name added to the Superdome Ring of Honor late in the 2024 season. He'll find out on Feb. 6 during the NFL Honors Ceremony whether he'll add a gold jacket to his closet.
"It’s hard not to pay attention, but you know, just taking it one day at a time and it’s not about if, it’s about when," Evans said. "I mean, I think when you get to the finalists, wherever you are with the NFL Hall of Fame, everybody is kind of deserving, right, so you know, it’s a process and I can’t go back and play any more plays, like I said before, so the work is out there and you know, just got to get the votes.”
While he's waiting, he'll help mold a handful of offensive line prospects at the Senior Bowl, a group that's been impressive. Evans is serving as the offensive line coach for the American team, a group that includes three LSU products in Emery Jones, Miles Frazier and Garrett Dellinger. He's also got a lot of familiarity on a staff that's led by former Saints RBs coach and current Giants assistant Joel Thomas. Fellow Saints assistant Kevin Petry is coaching the American team WRs, while assistants Adam Gristick (linebackers) and Jordan Traylor (linebackers) are working under Saints head coaching candidate Mike Kafka on the American team.
Related
The week marks an important opportunity for all these aspiring coaches in the Senior Bowl's "coach up" format. Teams propose names they'd like to see given an opportunity in the process. That team's top coaches make the final call. It's the same opportunity that was afforded to former Saints assistant Declan Doyle, who served as one of the TE coaches three years ago. From there he went on to serve as Sean Payton's TEs coach with the Broncos and after two seasons has now ascended to the offensive coordinator role with the Bears.
Evans laughed when asked if he was on the same track. He's got more short-term ambitions.
“My track right now is to handle the trenches, man, I think this game starts in the trenches," he said. "We’ve got to be able to move people off the ball and these coordinators want to throw the ball 30 times and game so your guys got to be able to protect and so I think there’s a real value there and I think I have value to bring to the club with that.”