Eric Bieniemy, Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints. (Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
For the first time since 2006, the New Orleans Saints will have a new head coach with Sean Payton stepping down and reportedly entering retirement.
The New Orleans Saints have a new head-coaching vacancy with Sean Payton stepping down.
Payton was the greatest head coach in franchise history. He guided the Saints to their only Super Bowl victory back in 2009. New Orleans made the NFC playoffs nine times in his 16 years on the job, winning the NFC South seven times. Though whoever replaces him will have big shoes to fill, the Saints organization has no choice but to do that with Payton possibly heading to broadcasting.
The Saints will have several candidates to be their next head coach, but these three are the best.
New Orleans Saints: 3 replacements for Sean Payton as next head coach
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Eric Bieniemy
Offensive Coordinator Kansas City Chiefs
Eric Bieniemy will benefit by going to a stable organization for his first main job
With nine head-coaching vacancies up for grabs, it seems as though Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy will finally get his opportunity to lead a team on his own. Though he coaches on the Super Bowl 56 favorite’s staff, some organization will do its homework and hire this man. Bieniemy will have other options, but the Saints are not a bad landing spot for him at all.
He will be joining a stable organization and one that already has a great defense. The Saints may be up against it with the salary cap, but he has a chance to be part of what should be a short rebuild in New Orleans. While he will have to get the quarterback right, Bieniemy did cut his teeth as a running backs coach before leading the Kansas City offense. He would inherit Alvin Kamara.
Because it has been so difficult for Bieniemy to get his own team, where he goes matters. He has to go to the best run organization to give himself a shot. Sadly, he might only get one opportunity to do this. Among the many vacancies in the NFL, New Orleans is one of the most stable. Of course, he has strong ties to another organization with an opening: The Minnesota Vikings.
Bieniemy could be a finalist for the Saints job, but he has to be among the favorites in Minnesota.