The New Orleans Saints may not yet be done seeing their coaches become former coaches.
The NFC South-rival Tampa Bay Bucs announced Wednesday that they have completed an interview with Saints QBs coach and pass game coordinator Ronald Curry to potentially fill their vacancy at offensive coordinator.
Tampa is in the market for a new OC after the firing of Byron Leftwich, who had previously served that role for multiple years under Bruce Arians and then Todd Bowles. The shakeup came after a 2022 season that ended with an NFC South title and first-round playoff exit despite an 8-9 finish. Future Hall of Famer Tom Brady also announced he'd retire from the NFL, "for good" this time, earlier Wednesday morning.
The interview with Curry took place Tuesday night in Mobile, Alabama, where Curry is serving as the offensive coordinator for the National Team. Tampa has also interviewed University of Georgia OC Todd Monken, Giants QBs coach Shea Tierney, Broncos passing game coordinator & QBs coach Klint Kubiak, Vikings WRs coach Keenan McCardell, Jaguars QBs Coach Jim Bob Cooter and Bengals QBs Dan Pitcher.
Curry was a popular suggestion to potentially move into a more prominent role with the Saints, where he has been a member of the staff since he joined as an offensive assistant in 2016. He also spent two seasons as the WRs coach being shifting into the QB coach role.
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Should Curry move on, he'd join former Saints co-defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen as a departure to an NFC South rival, with the former DL coach announced as the Falcons' new defensive coordinator. The Panthers had also requested to interview fellow co-DC Kris Richard for its DC position, thought the team has since hired Frank Reich and there has been no further news on that front as Richard is concerned.
The biggest bombshell, however, came on Tuesday with the news of former Saints head coach Sean Payton and a 2024 third rounder being traded to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a first round pick in 2023 and a 2nd rounder in 2024. It's a move that could have ripple effects if Payton chooses to try to lure former assistants, such as Curry, to join him on his new staff.
Despite significant outside noise calling for the contrary, the Saints have opted to retain longtime OC Pete Carmichael in that role under second-year head coach Dennis Allen. The Saints struggled in the 2022 season, but went on a three-game winning streak late in the year and finished 7-10.
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