Don't look now, but it looks like the gang's getting back together in New Orleans.
That's in reference to the 2014 Raiders (more on that in a bit), with the Saints planning to hire former Cardinals DBs coach Marcus Robertson in an assistant role, according to a report from Cardinals reporter Mike Jurecki.
That would mark the second coach hired to Dennis Allen's staff ahead of the 2023 season that was he also hired to the Raiders staff in 2014, his final season as head coach during which he was fired following an 0-4 start. The news comes amid the pursuit of a possible Derek Carr trade, the quarterback Allen's team picked at No. 36 overall in the 2014 draft and opted to start as a rookie. Carr is expected to visit the Saints on Wednesday to see if New Orleans could be a good fit, with a potential trade necessary to be worked out before his contract guarantees kick in on 2015.
The Saints have also reportedly hired Joe Woods as defensive coordinator, who served as DBs coach on that same 2014 staff. Woods went on to coach DBs for the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos the following season. Robertson stuck with the Raiders, however, as the DBs coach under Jack Del Rio the next two seasons, before departing to become the DBs coach on Woods' staff when he took over the defensive coordinator role for the Broncos in the 2017 season.
He has served as the DBs coach for the Arizona Cardinals each of the past three seasons, and it's almost certain he'd serve that role on the Saints staff under Woods.
The Saints were in need of a new defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach following the departure of both co-defensive coordinators in recent weeks. Ryan Nielsen, who also coached defensive line, was hired by the Atlanta Falcons to be their defensive coordinator following the retirement of Dean Pees. Fellow co-DC and secondary coach Kris Richard and the Saints opted to part ways in the following week.
The Saints have also reportedly come to terms with longtime NFL and SEC assistant coach Todd Grantham, who will likely coach the defensive line.
There are still a handful of current and potential openings to consider. Zach Strief has reportedly agreed to join Sean Payton's new staff with the Broncos as OL coach, leaving an opening in that role in New Orleans. Assistant Declan Doyle is also in consideration to be TEs coach with the Broncos, and QBs coach/pass game coordinator Ronald Curry is being interviewed for the offensive coordinator role. He has also interviewed for the OC role with the Bucs, a position that has not yet been filled.
The Saints fired TEs coach and run game coordinator Dan Roushar following the season, and no hire has yet been reported. It's possible Doyle could be in consideration for that role. He coached tight ends at the Senior Bowl earlier this month.
There was another bit of good news reported on the coaching front Wednesday, as well: Assistant Kevin Petry has opted to remain with the Saints, according to a report from NewOrleans.football, turning down an offer to join Payton's staff. Petry is a Covington native and LSU alum, and is entering his sixth year on the Saints' staff.
