logo
Sean Payton: Darren Rizzi was 'very serious candidate' for Saints coach job

Sean Payton: Darren Rizzi was 'very serious candidate' for Saints coach job

USA Today28-02-2025

Sean Payton: Darren Rizzi was 'very serious candidate' for Saints coach job
The New Orleans Saints had a tough decision to make in the 2025 offseason before free agency even began, in hiring their new head coach. They ultimately came down to the selection of Kellen Moore, foregoing interim head coach Darren Rizzi as well as other candidates Anthony Weaver and Mike Kafka.
However, the viability of Rizzi was high for the opening, and former Saints head coach Sean Payton believes Rizzi was an extremely strong contender for the job. As shared by NOLA.com's Luke Johnson, Payton expressed confidence in Rizzi's viability as a candidate for the Saints' head coach opening.
"With respect to the process, he was a very serious candidate (in New Orleans) and I think will be a head coach in our league as well,' Payton added, speaking with the media at the NFL Scouting Combine this week.
This makes sense given the two worked together for many seasons and are once again on the same staff for the 2025 season, but it also provides some intriguing clarity into the Saints' selection of Moore over the others. With Alvin Kamara having previously voiced his support of Rizzi for the head coaching spot, it makes sense that maybe some players believed he was a strong option.
Ultimately, New Orleans chose otherwise, going with a non-Sean Payton route and allowing Moore to fully set up his new coaching staff. It will be very interesting to see if Rizzi gets another shot elsewhere during the 2026 offseason or beyond.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Gayle Benson: 'To Our Knowledge' Fair Grounds 'Is Not For Sale'
Gayle Benson: 'To Our Knowledge' Fair Grounds 'Is Not For Sale'

Yahoo

time4 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Gayle Benson: 'To Our Knowledge' Fair Grounds 'Is Not For Sale'

Gayle Benson: 'To Our Knowledge' Fair Grounds 'Is Not For Sale' originally appeared on Paulick Report. After news broke Tuesday that Churchill Downs, Inc. had sent a letter to the Louisiana State Racing Commission revealing its plan to 'begin the next steps' to relinquish its live racing license, several names were bandied about the public sphere as potential buyers for the Fair Grounds Racetrack in New Orleans. According to among the names suggested was Gayle Benson. Benson is a prominent Thoroughbred owner via her G M B Racing, as well as the owner of the New Orleans Saints NFL team and Pelicans NBA team. Advertisement Benson issued a public statement via Saints and Pelicans executive Greg Bensel: 'With the recent news generated by Churchill Downs concerning their continued racing at Fair Grounds, we have had numerous calls regarding our interest in purchasing the Fair Grounds. Mrs. Benson continues to support the horse racing industry not only in Kentucky but more importantly here in Louisiana. "She has always maintained a great relationship with the leadership at Churchill Downs and certainly has been monitoring this situation at the Fair Grounds. Her hope is that horse racing continues in New Orleans at the Fair Grounds and is prosperous and sustainable. "It is an important and iconic industry that we cannot lose. To our knowledge, which is very limited relative to the operations of the Fair Grounds, it is not for sale. Our focus is on Saints minicamp and the upcoming NBA Draft.' This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.

Portion Of Falcons Schedule Allows Them To Create Space In The NFC South Division
Portion Of Falcons Schedule Allows Them To Create Space In The NFC South Division

Yahoo

time6 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Portion Of Falcons Schedule Allows Them To Create Space In The NFC South Division

Portion Of Falcons Schedule Allows Them To Create Space In The NFC South Division originally appeared on Athlon Sports. According to NFL schedule experts, since the NFL has experts in every aspect of the game, the Atlanta Falcons have the 20th-ranked strength of schedule for the 2025 NFL season. Advertisement The Falcons are ranked 17th in the league in terms of difficulty alone. However, they will play against seven teams that were over .500 last season. Three of those teams had at least twelve wins, and six had fewer than six wins. Six of Atlanta's games will be against teams that made the playoffs last year. Numbers and math are complex, but a portion of Atlanta's schedule could present them with an opportunity to rattle off a few straight wins and set themselves up for a run at the NFC South division title. Looking at the schedule and eyeing weeks 8 through 17 could give Atlanta just what they need to turn this thing around and make their first playoff appearance since 2017. Falcons GM Terry Fontenot speaks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images In week 8, the Falcons will take on the Miami Dolphins at home. They will hit the road in week 9 for a date with the New England Patriots, then return home for a week 10 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. During this stretch, Atlanta could be looking at rattling off three wins in a row and propelling the team to a first-place division lead. Advertisement In Week 11, the Falcons will have a home game against the Carolina Panthers. Yes, they will be better across the board, but Atlanta could prove to be too much offensively. Week 12 at the New Orleans Saints is always a toss-up due to the bitter rivalry, but Atlanta could also snag a win here, depending on the Saints' QB situation. Weeks 13 and 14 will feature Atlanta taking on the New York Giants and Seattle Seahawks at home. Atlanta could be looking at a six- or seven-game win streak at this point in the season. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week 15 are another division toss-up. Weeks 16 and 17 will bring on the Arizona Cardinals and the Los Angeles Rams. All of this is speculation, and the Atlanta Falcons will need to develop the chemistry this summer with all of the new additions on defense. However, the offensive side of the ball can be a very potent weapon for the foreseeable future in the NFL and should propel Atlanta to the top of the NFC South. Related: Falcons Beat Writer Throws Unnecessary Jab At Former RB Devonta Freeman Related: Falcons Safety Jessie Bates' Ready To Ignite A New Atlanta Defensive Scheme This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.

Miami Dolphins' Mike McDaniel: Jonnu Smith trade rumors 'complicated if you allow it to be'
Miami Dolphins' Mike McDaniel: Jonnu Smith trade rumors 'complicated if you allow it to be'

Yahoo

time8 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Miami Dolphins' Mike McDaniel: Jonnu Smith trade rumors 'complicated if you allow it to be'

MIAMI GARDENS -- Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel met with reporters before another OTA workout. Highlights: -- On the Jonnu Smith situation, with Smith seeking a raise and the team having held talks, according to reports: "It's complicated if you allow it to be." But McDaniel tries to focus as much as possible on the football side vs. the business side. Advertisement -- McDaniel acknowledges Smith, a tight end, is very important to the offense. Says Smith has been in the facility. -- On if he expects Smith to be on the team this season: "I haven't really considered anything other than I want Jonnu on the team. I think he wants to be here." -- McDaniel says he has been pleased with the turnout for "voluntary" workouts, adding that you wouldn't know by looking over the practice fields that it has been voluntary. -- McDaniel credits RT Austin Jackson with "hearing the label" people attached to him early in his career and working through it, proving people wrong. Advertisement TRADE WINDS? Dolphins trading Jalen Ramsey? Everything you need to know -- On RB Jaylen Wright: Says Wright "benefited tremendously by coming in the league in a crowded room" last year. During exit meetings, McDaniel stressed the need "to communicate non-verbally to me for his hunger for an increased role. ... I can see him following through with that." -- On LT Patrick Paul: Says he sees not just room for growth, but actual growth in Year 2. McDaniel says having retired LT Terron Armstead around during offseason workouts "is a huge accelerator" in Paul's development. INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 25: Head coach Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins speaks to the media during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 25, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by) -- On where this team is and whether it's rebuilding: "We are trying to maximize our opportunity and we have a good amount of young players that are very, very focused." Advertisement --On if the Dolphins players are getting a lift by watching the success of the Florida Panthers in the NHL playoffs: "Just in general, the elimination games really capture professional athletes. ... I think the Florida Panthers as an organization have done an unbelievable job of creating a situation where 'we've been here before.' ... There's nothing more motivating than watching people who are sacrificing hard-earned monthly income" supporting the Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final. JOE SCHAD: Mike McDaniel open to changes, including at practice This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins' Mike McDaniel on Jonnu Smith's importance in the offense

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store