Well this is something: the Atlanta Falcons interviewed former New Orleans Saints assistant coach Joe Brady for their head coach opening, the team announced Saturday. Brady flamed out quickly with the Carolina Panthers, but he’s found success as the interim offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills. Maybe a reunion with former Saints pro personnel director Terry Fontenot, Atlanta’s current general manager, is in the works.
Hiring Brady could help the Falcons keep Ryan Nielsen in as defensive coordinator, too — he and Brady worked together in New Orleans. Brady left Sean Payton’s staff to call plays for the record-setting 2019 LSU Tigers offense which catapulted him to the NFL. He was in over his head in Carolina but has since done well for himself. Now there’s a chance he could return to the NFC South.
But that feels like an upset pick given the Falcons’ serious interest in big-name candidates like Bill Belichick and Jim Harbaugh. We’ll see if anything comes of this interview, but one thing’s for sure: the Falcons can’t seem to get enough former Saints in their building. If you can’t beat them, just sign all their free agents and hire all their scouts and coaches.
