New Orleans Saints likely to keep GM in same role

By Cory Buck | Jan 5, 2015

Sep 21, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis before a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Despite conflicting reports, the New Orleans Saints are reportedly planning to keep GM Mickey Loomis in place with no change in duties.

The New Orleans Saints make an easy target for the never-ending NFL offseason rumor mill, which is why it comes as no surprise that their front office has been a topic of discussion since the team finished its disappointing 7-9 campaign this season. GM Mickey Loomis has been a regular in such discussions, but it’s being reported that those are well off and that the team plans to retain its team architect.

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Pro Football Talk refuted a previous report that the Saints were grooming director of player personnel, Ryan Pace, for the GM position. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media had suggested that Pace was holding back from outside opportunities because the team was grooming him to become the next general manager.

But that wouldn’t mean that current GM Loomis would be out. In fact, PFT reports that Pace has no such designs and that Loomis is going nowhere.

"Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the last part of that is not accurate. Loomis remains entrenched as the G.M. of the Saints, resulting in no need to move anyone up to handle any of his duties.That doesn’t mean Pace will leave. The current thinking is he’ll stay put."

The easy rumor tied Pace to the New York Jets, who are reportedly very keen on former Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone, who is a former employee of the Saints and remains familiar with Pace.

If the Jets were to make a big offer to Marrone, it might come with the condition that Marrone gets a say in their GM search, which is a little like the cart choosing the horse, but hey, they’re the Jets. We’re long past questioning anything over there.

The bottom line is this: Loomis appears to be going nowhere, despite previous reports, and that makes sense. Despite the team’s cap crunch, the Saints have been an undeniable force in the NFL. They have a roster full of talent in need of a little direction and some depth.

Given what the management team has done to date in an effort to keep this team under the cap, it’s fair to expect the team will give them another chance to dig the Saints out of this mess and get them back in the playoffs.

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