"We've gotten it right before," New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis told a reporter in his year-end media session. To bring clarity, that was nearly two decades ago when the franchise hired a confident and youthful Sean Payton. Indeed, he did not refer to Dennis Allen, although he stated, "I don't regret" his hiring.

New Orleans has told the other coaching candidates that it is moving on, leaving the Eagles offensive coordinator as its primary target.

The New Orleans Saints recently lost offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak to the Seattle Seahawks. The young play-caller was allowed to interview for the job, as the Saints are expected to go in a new direction with their next head coach.