Rumors swirl around Jon Gruden joining Saints staff

The Saints are rumored to be adding Jon Gruden to the staff in some capacity as they look to improve after a disappointing 2023 season.

The 2023 NFL regular season is less than 24 hours finished and changes abound around the league. For the New Orleans Saints, missing the playoffs with a winning record was not the end the team had in mind. Beating the Atlanta Falcons in the last week capped off a tumultuous season that is now leading into what is sure to be a rocky off-season for the Saints. Rumors are beginning to swirl about changes to the coaching staff after the Saints have now missed the playoffs for the third straight year. Jon Gruden is being connected to the New Orleans Saints from various sources.

Jon Gruden rumored to be in discussion to join Saints

Rumors began during Black Monday, the usual day of mass firings of NFL coaches, that the Saints were considering adding Jon Gruden to the staff in some capacity, according to Jeff Duncan from Nola.com. Although the Saints have not officially parted ways with any coach, Duncan states that Gruden would be an addition to the staff, not a replacement for anyone in particular. This report from Duncan has produced many reactions from other NFL insiders with various and different information as well.

Jon Gruden is no stranger to the Saints this season. Before the 2023 season begun, the Saints brought in Gruden to consult in acclimating Derek Carr to the team. It is unknown how much Gruden consulted throughout this past season. Mike Triplett, from NewOrleans.football, states that the dinner between the Saints front office and Gruden was a “friendly relationship” as opposed to discussing a job. Meanwhile, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reports that “no decision has made yet”(sic) in regards to Gruden joining the staff.

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The Saints off-season has barely started and rumors are already swirling of some kind of change to the coaching staff. It is likely that changes of some sort are coming to avoid the Saints missing the playoffs for a fourth year.