After Kliff Kingsbury reportedly turned down the New Orleans Saints’ head coaching job, Who Dat Nation wasted no time pointing fingers, straight at general manager Mickey Loomis.
Frustration is boiling over in New Orleans, and fans aren’t shy about it. The message is clear: Loomis out.
Saints Fans Fume, Call for Changes as Kliff Kingsbury Stays in Washington,
After Kingsbury rejected the Saints’ HC job, the reaction was instant: “Fire [Mickey] Loomis. Hire [Mike] McCarthy.”
Fire Loomis. Hire McCarthy @Saints
— IMMA KNOCK YOU OUT MIKE (@BrokeJackjonson) January 28, 2025
However, the plan was short-lived, as McCarthy pulled out of the race shortly afterward, facing forward for the 2026 NFL season, according to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero.
Former #Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy has decided to focus on the 2026 hiring cycle and will not coach in the NFL this season, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
McCarthy, who has made the playoffs 12 times in 18 seasons, is expected to be a strong candidate a year from now. pic.twitter.com/Vr8mMijIkq
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 29, 2025
The frustration is real. Kingsbury, who just helped the Commanders go from 4-13 to an NFC Championship appearance, decided to stay in Washington as OC. That stung for the Saints, a team desperate for a spark after a 9-8 finish and no playoff berth.
Some fans see this as a continuity win for the Commanders. “Continuity is HUGE. There aren’t many QBs who can thrive when either HC or OC continues to change. Build and grow.”
Continuity is HUGE. There aren’t many QBs who can thrive when either HC or OC continues to change.
Build and grow.
— Michael Rodnick (@MJRodnick) January 28, 2025
Others think he should be paid like a head coach for staying put. “Wow, he should be paid on par with head coaches for staying. Reward loyalty.” Given his one-year impact, that might not be a wild take.
Then there’s the skepticism. One fan pointed to a cautionary tale: “Ask [Houston] Texans OC [Bobby Slowik] how that turned out for him. Bad call IMO.”
Meanwhile, Saints fans see their job as a ticking time bomb. “Smart move to stay put for another year. Saints job is a disaster right now.” The team has salary cap nightmares and uncertainty at QB.
For now, the Saints’ coaching search rolls on. However, fan patience is already running on empty.
Kingsbury Snubs Saints, Stays With Commanders for Another Season
Kingsbury is staying put in Washington. Per Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports, the Commanders offensive coordinator has decided against interviewing for the Saints’ head coaching vacancy. Kingsbury reportedly turned down all interviews during the Commanders’ playoff push and has now committed to another season with the team.
Breaking: #Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury — despite interest from the #Saints and other teams — has decided to stay in Washington for a second season following a remarkable turnaround that saw the team go from 4 wins to an NFC Championship appearance.
His return ensures… pic.twitter.com/xQlOdt6zVz
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 28, 2025
This decision doesn’t shock many. The Saints’ HC job is arguably one of the toughest sells this offseason. The team’s coming off a horrendous 5-12 season and faces a daunting $50.2 million cap deficit heading into 2025 (per Spotrac). While they hold the No. 9 pick and several mid-round selections, the Saints must nail the draft to rebuild their roster.
Meanwhile, Kingsbury is in a much more comfortable spot. The Commanders just made an NFC Championship run behind rising star QB Jayden Daniels and one of the league’s best offenses. Staying with the Commanders keeps Kingsbury tied to a team trending upward.As Mike Florio pointed out, Kingsbury’s playing the long game: “He can afford to be selective.”
For now, Kingsbury’s bet on the Commanders looks like a winning one.
