There will be a bit of a role reversal within the newly minted New Orleans Saints coaching staff.
Former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley is being hired as the Saints' new defensive coordinator, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo reported on Friday.
Staley, who spent the 2024 season as the San Francisco 49ers' assistant head coach, now joins rookie head coach Kellen Moore's staff. It's a reunion for the two, as Moore was Staley's offensive coordinator on the Chargers in 2023.
It wasn't the most productive union as Moore was one and done in L.A., while Staley was fired after a 5-9 start to that campaign. They'll look for better results in their efforts to turn around a Saints club that hasn't made the postseason since 2020.
Staley, 42, began his NFL tenure in 2017 as the Chicago Bears outside linebackers coach, a position he held with the Denver Broncos in 2019, as well.
He hit his stride in 2020 with the Los Angeles Rams and his first defensive coordinator position.
The Rams were the No. 1 defense in yards and points allowed that season, which, in turn, led to Staley landing the Chargers' head coaching position.
In two-plus seasons with the Chargers, Staley posted a 24-24 record that included two winning seasons and one playoff berth. However, it ended unceremoniously in 2023 after a 63-21 late-season loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Now, Staley will be a defensive coordinator for the second time in his career and the first time since that 2020 glory year with the Rams.
The Saints were 19th in points allowed and 30th in yards last season.
The defensive cupboard isn't bare for Staley, with talent such as Carl Granderson, franchise great Cameron Jordan, Demario Davis and Kool-Aid McKinstry. However, New Orleans is $54.1 million over the salary cap, so the 2025 roster upon Staley's addition is likely to look markedly different by the time he hits the practice field with his new squad.
Nonetheless, the Saints and Moore have found a familiar and proven face to pilot their defense.
