Gayle Benson

Mickey Loomis, Saints Ownership Disagreed On Dennis Allen Firing

November 7th, 2024 at 10:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

The longest-tenured pure GM in the NFL, Mickey Loomis has held this New Orleans gig since 2002. He has only hired two head coaches, however, tabbing DC Dennis Allen to take over after Sean Payton‘s exit (Loomis was hired during Jim Haslett‘s six-year HC tenure). That number, barring a change in the front office, will expand to three next year.

If Loomis had his way, however, Allen may still be coaching the Saints. The 23rd-year GM is not believed to have been ready to fire the team’s third-year HC, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, who indicates ownership drove this ouster.

Hearing from a Saints fanbase that has not seen a season with six or fewer wins since 2005, the Gayle Benson-fronted group pulled the plug. Breer goes as far as to indicate ownership was committed to making this move to the point Allen might have been fired even if the Saints had won the Week 9 matchup with the downtrodden Panthers. The Saints had lost by double figures in each of their previous four games, with a Buccaneers 51-point day sprinkled in.

Allen has received two chances as a head coach. This one went better than his Raiders stint, which occurred in the early years of Mark Davis‘ ownership. Allen went 8-28 as Raiders HC, and while Derek Carr was Oakland’s quarterback when Davis dropped Allen in October 2014, the two-time Payton assistant had coached Carson Palmer in 2012 — before the QB’s Arizona resurgence — and then oversaw an unenviable 2013 situation that featured Terrelle Pryor and Matt McGloin combining for 15 starts. Allen went 4-12 in each of his first two Raiders seasons and followed a 7-10 2022 slate with a 9-8 showing last year. Though, his third New Orleans HC season reminded of the bleak period in Oakland.

The Saints started 2-0, seeing Klint Kubiak‘s offense become a central September storyline in the NFL, before dropping seven straight. This is the longest Saints losing streak since 1999, when Mike Ditka‘s finale deteriorated into a 3-13 showing. Allen firing rumors cropped up near the end of the 2022 and 2023 seasons, but Loomis resisted calls for the coach’s dismissal each year. The decision to retain Allen after the ’23 campaign surprised some Saints players.

Recently retired O-lineman James Hurst said this week some players expected Loomis to fire Allen after the team’s Week 18 win over the Falcons — a game that sealed Arthur Smith‘s fate in Atlanta. New Orleans’ 2023 season famously wrapped with backup QB Jameis Winston going rogue, eschewing Allen’s plans for a kneeldown sequence to give Jamaal Williams a chance to score a touchdown last season. Williams, who had led the NFL in rushing TDs in 2022, had not scored one to that point last year. The Saints beat the Falcons 48-17, with Williams’ TD occurring with 1:10 remaining. Smith voiced his displeasure to Allen postgame, and then apologized for his team’s actions.

Now working with WDSU, Hurst said during a recent broadcast many players viewed Allen as missing an opportunity to support them — even as the offense disobeyed the second-year HC — following that season-ending win. Hurst added Loomis addressed the players a day later, creating an expectation among them Allen would be fired. That, of course, did not happen. After all, the 2023 Saints won four of their final five games. This year’s edition is now 2-7 and will be in the market for an outside hire for the first time since Loomis hired Payton in 2006.

Allen not sticking up for his players publicly created a legitimate issue, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler adds. The losing streak, albeit one that involved a few key injuries, may have further solidified a perception of Allen losing the locker room. Loomis, however, does not look to have entirely agreed with that.

A Payton assistant from 2006-10 who returned after his Raiders ouster, Allen had played a central role in the Saints turning their defensive operation around after a rough mid-2010s period. After top-half finishes in both scoring and yardage from 2017-19, Allen’s defense ranked in the top 10 in points allowed from 2020-23. This season, however, Allen’s veteran-laden unit exited Week 9 ranked 26th in that category.

If Loomis indeed was not ready to fire Allen, both of this year’s in-season firings have gone down this way. Jets owner Woody Johnson went around GM Joe Douglas to can Robert Saleh last month. It will be interesting to see how Benson and Loomis coexist once the search for Allen’s full-time successor commences in earnest.

Sean Payton-Saints Reunion On Table; Broncos, Panthers Not In Play?

December 27th, 2022 at 5:53pm CST by Sam Robinson

With a third coach firing going down this week, Sean Payton smoke keeps emerging. The Super Bowl-winning coach has given a few interviews indicating a desire to coach again, and it could happen as soon as 2023.

Payton will be coveted by every team with a coaching vacancy, but an unexpected reunion is generating buzz. The Saints potentially bringing back Payton is “the worst-kept secret” in NFL circles, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes. Payton is indeed open to a New Orleans return, according to Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com.

The Saints were forced to conduct a coaching search weeks after other HC-seeking teams went through theirs, after Payton stepped down from his 16-year gig. They ended up promoting Dennis Allen, giving the ex-Raiders HC a second chance. Although the Saints are still in contention for the NFC South title, they are 6-9 and could hit double-digit losses for the first time since 2005 — the franchise’s final pre-Payton year. GM Mickey Loomis and owner Gayle Benson are strong supporters of Allen, per Duncan, who notes Payton’s longtime DC is well-liked throughout the organization.

It would make for a historically unusual move for the Saints and Payton to reunite after one year apart, but Loomis remains close with his former coworker. And the Saints hold Payton’s rights through 2024. It would be interesting to see if another team was willing to make a substantial trade offer for Payton, Florio adds that if Payton coaches anywhere next season, it will be back in New Orleans. A source that spoke with Duncan offers the same prediction.

Payton has already begun work on assembling a staff and has studied rosters and cap situations around the league, per Duncan, so it should not be assumed the Saints — who have featured a rather notable roster issue since Drew Brees‘ retirement — have a runaway lead here. But them being back in the mix sets the table for what would be one of the most fascinating transactions in modern coaching history.

Payton, 58, has been connected to a few teams, but avenues toward the positions that cropped up this offseason are closing. The Cowboys and Chargers are heading to the playoffs, and while neither Mike McCarthy nor Brandon Staley are locks to return, both are likely to stay on in their present roles. The Dolphins, as you may have heard, caused quite a stir by showing interest in Payton — to the point they were docked first- and third-round picks for tampering with he and Tom Brady. Although Mike McDaniel‘s team is fading, it would surprise if Stephen Ross made him a one-and-done given the progress Tua Tagovailoa has made this season.

The Broncos and Panthers are both believed to be interested in Payton, but Florio adds neither team appeals to the current FOX analyst. (The Saints trading Payton to the Panthers is a near-impossible scenario to envision as well.) Payton returning to New Orleans would seemingly wall off a quest to become the first head coach to win Super Bowls with two different teams. Several HCs — Don Shula, Dick Vermeil, Bill Parcells, Dan Reeves, Mike Holmgren, John Fox and Andy Reid — have coached two franchises to Super Bowls, but none has negotiated the hurdle of winning it with both.

Returning to New Orleans would also mean a renewed search to find a long-term Brees successor, and the recent report of Payton eyeing Vic Fangio to be his defensive coordinator upon returning further complicates Allen’s status. Allen enjoyed two tours under Payton with the Saints, being the team’s secondary coach from 2008-10 and its DC from 2015-21. Another report indicated Allen was likely safe from being a one-and-done, but Payton being back in play could certainly change that.

At the end of an unremarkable season, it appears the Saints will be a central figure in the 2023 offseason. They may have the chance to rehire the best head coach in team history or trade him for a package that could include a first-round pick.

Saints Owner Gayle Benson Unsure Of Sean Payton’s Future

January 24th, 2022 at 3:38pm CST by Adam La Rose

There is a growing sense of uncertainty surrounding Saints head coach Sean Payton‘s future. It was confirmed today that Gayle Benson, the team’s owner, is also unaware of what Payton is planning on doing in 2022 and beyond.

During a media availability unrelated to the Saints, Benson was asked about her knowledge with respect to Payton’s intentions. She responded, “Who knows? We’ll find out soon enough, I guess. I don’t think any of us know, but he’ll let us know soon enough” (Twitter link via Nick Underhill of the Athletic).

NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday that Payton has yet to inform the team of his decision one way or the other. The 58-year-old has three years remaining on his current contract, but it seems a full year removed from coaching is a strong possibility. What he would do during that year – either away from the spotlight or on a TV network, potentially – would of course largely influence how the Saints set up their coaching staff moving forward.

Today, Rapoport provided an update on the situation, beginning with Benson’s comments. He added that Payton is “back in the building in New Orleans”, stressing that that fact shouldn’t be taken as an indication that he is staying or going. Still, it provides an opportunity, as Rapoport puts it, for there to be “some sort of resolution” for the Super Bowl winning coach.

All parties involved, clearly, are anxious to to see a decision made on the Payton front as soon as possible.

NFC South Notes: Saints, Clowney, Bucs

September 9th, 2020 at 6:14pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Before Jadeveon Clowney signed with the Titans, the Saints attempted to orchestrate a sign-and-trade in order to land the star edge rusher — but the NFL put the kibosh on such a maneuver, as Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com write. In the proposed scenario, an unidentified team (widely believed to be the Browns) would have signed Clowney to a one-year deal with a $5MM signing bonus and a $10MM base salary.

Clowney then would have been dealt to the Saints in exchange for a second-round pick, per the NFL scribes. The mystery team would have absorbed the $5MM signing bonus on its salary cap, giving the cap-strapped Saints the breathing room they would have needed in order to acquire Clowney. But the league office gave word it wouldn’t approve a deal that amounted to trading cap space.

“We felt like we got close,” Saints head coach Sean Payton said, via Mike Triplett of ESPN.com (Twitter link). “We weren’t able to match the money, and that’s one of the challenges every year. Mickey (Loomis) and Khai (Harley) did a great job working with (Clowney’s agent).” The Ravens may have also attempted a sign-and-trade strategy to land Clowney, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk indicates Baltimore tried to arrange a similar strategy involving the Jaguars. Tennessee ultimately landed Clowney on a one-year, $13MM pact that includes $2MM in incentives.

Buccaneers wideout Mike Evans is dealing with a hamstring injury and could be a game-time decision for Sunday’s tilt against the Saints, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Evans ended last season on injured reserve with a hamstring issue, but he hadn’t missed any time during camp, so the injury must have flared up recently. If Evans is forced to miss Week 1, Chris Godwin could see even more targets than usual, while Justin Watson and Scotty Miller would likely become more involved in Tampa Bay’s offense.
The Buccaneers‘ backfield split became extremely murky following the addition of Leonard Fournette, but head coach Bruce Arians says Ronald Jones is still the club’s starter, per Jenna Laine of ESPN.com. Of course, Arians has been anything but fully truthful when it comes to running back touches over the years, but Jones should at least get the first snap of 2020. Arians said Fournette will have a “situational role” in Week 1 (Twitter link via Pewter Report), while LeSean McCoy should still be a factor on passing downs. Tampa Bay also worked out a number of running backs, including veteran Kenjon Barner, earlier this week, tweets Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com.
Saints owner Gayle Benson has thankfully recovered after contracting COVID-19 in August, as Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk writes. The 73-year-old Benson was not forced to spend any time in the hospital while quarantined, and was still able to take part in team business.

South Notes: Ngakoue, Benson, Campbell

August 28th, 2020 at 2:55pm CST by Rory Parks

A little over a week ago, Michael Lombardi of The Athletic reported that the Jaguars were on the verge of a deal that would ship disgruntled defensive end Yannick Ngakoue out of Jacksonville. Jags GM Dave Caldwell refuted the report, saying no trade involving Ngakoue is imminent.

But Lombardi has doubled down and insists a trade will happen soon (subscription required). He says Ngakoue is not motivated by money right now, he is motivated by a change of scenery, so he is not worried about missing game checks. According to Lombardi, if Ngakoue is not traded, he will not report until the 10th game of the season, the deadline for him to be able to count the 2020 season as an accredited year towards free agency. And at that point, the trade deadline will be in the rear-view mirror and the Jaguars will be left with nothing but a comp pick when Ngakoue signs elsewhere.

On the other hand, Lombardi’s second report linked above was published on August 21, and nothing has materialized on the Ngakoue front since then. It is, as ever, a situation to keep an eye on.

Now for more from the league’s south divisions:

Saints owner Gayle Benson tested positive for COVID-19, the team announced. Luckily, the 73-year-old was not hospitalized and is recovering at her New Orleans home. Benson is the second NFL owner to test positive, joining the Cardinals’ Michael Bidwill. Bidwill was hospitalized for his symptoms but appears to have made a full recovery, and it sounds as if Benson will do the same.
Mike Chappell of Fox 59 reports that Colts wide receiver Parris Campbell is in the concussion protocol following a minor car accident earlier this week. Indianapolis nabbed the Ohio State speedster in the second round of last year’s draft, and after his rookie campaign was derailed due to injury, he was in the midst of a solid training camp this year. He is a roster lock, of course, but it’s unfortunate that his positive momentum has been slowed a bit.
The Texans activated Gareon Conley from the PUP list earlier this month, and Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports that the 2017 first-rounder is progressing well from his offseason arthroscopic ankle surgery. Houston declined Conley’s fifth-year option for 2021, so he will be eligible for free agency next year and could cash in with a strong platform campaign. However, Wilson says second-year pro Lonnie Johnson and Conley are neck-and-neck for a starting job, as Conley has been inconsistent since his return to the field.
We learned earlier today that the Buccaneers are interested in extending longtime LB Lavonte David.

Gayle Benson To Run Saints After Husband’s Death

April 12th, 2018 at 5:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Some clarity emerged about the operation of the Saints on Thursday. Gayle Benson, the widow of deceased Saints owner Tom Benson, will run the team.

She announced her late husband’s plan was for her to be the franchise’s controlling owner.

“My husband’s plan and desire was for me to have full voting control of the Saints and to serve as Controlling Owner of the team per NFL rules,” Gayle Benson wrote in a letter to the 31 other teams today (via PFT). “I understood this and want to reassure you that I am fully prepared to assume this role. Moving forward, I too, will provide the Commissioner my very own Ownership Succession Plan of the New Orleans Saints.

“Please rest assured, I will own and operate this franchise until my death and do so with the same drive and focus towards success that my husband displayed throughout his life.”

Tom Benson owned the Saints from 1985 until his death last month. Benson married Gayle, his third wife, in 2004. Her involvement represented a point of contention with some of Benson’s heirs, and Tom Benson changed his will to keep his daughter and grandchildren from a previous marriage out of the ownership picture. The case was settled early last year.

Gayle Benson writes that the Saints are in good financial shape and will continue to play in the Superdome.