Butterfly effect: How Liam Coen’s reversal impacts Jets and Saints in OC, HC searches

Coen’s 180-degree turn was a good thing for the Saints. According to The Athletic senior NFL writer Michael Silver, Jacksonville was expected to target Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady and Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore after initially being spurned by Coen.

Those are two of the candidates on New Orleans’ radar, and with Jacksonville no longer in the market for a head coach, the Saints might not have many rivals.

The Cowboys are reportedly close to hiring offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer as their head coach, while the Raiders reportedly agreed with Pete Carroll to a three-year contract (with a fourth-year team option) on Friday.

The Coen saga could force New Orleans into selecting an offensive-minded coach if that’s not the direction it was already taking. Of the remaining four candidates who have received a second interview request, Anthony Weaver (Dolphins) is the only defensive coordinator. The Saints also plan to interview former Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, a former Saints offensive coordinator from 2000-2004, and Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury following Washington’s playoff run.

New Orleans could have a few intriguing options at offensive coordinator if it hires Weaver, considering the Jets and Bucs will likely fill their openings beforehand.

New York Jets

Coen’s hiring applied pressure on the Jets. As The Athletic senior Jets writer Zack Rosenblatt wrote on social media, the Bucs have “become immediate competition for offensive coordinator.”

“Tampa has a better QB in place already … and their last two OCs quickly became head coaches,” Rosenblatt added.

After New York hired former Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn as its head coach, Glenn and the front office must nail the offensive-coordinator hire.

Since owner Woody Johnson purchased the franchise in 2000, six of his head coach hires have had defensive backgrounds, costing the Jets on the field with perennially bad offenses. Under Johnson’s ownership, the Jets have only scored 400 points in a season once (2008), the fewest in the NFL during that span. (h/t Stathead)

Rosenblatt reported that the Jets could attempt to hire Rams tight ends coach and pass game coordinator Nick Caley. However, after Tampa went through the Sean McVay coaching pipeline to find Coen, it could beat the Jets to Caley if that’s the direction it chooses. The Jets must act fast or be at the Buccaneers’ mercy.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa doesn’t need to panic. It was in a similar position last offseason when former offensive coordinator Dave Canales left to become head coach of the division-rival Panthers after one season, and things turned out well.

The Bucs were even better offensively under Coen, scoring 29.5 points per game, up from 20.5 in 2023, while eclipsing 500 points in a season for just the second time in franchise history.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield is coming off his best season, finishing with career highs in completion percentage (71.4%), passing yards (4,500) and touchdowns (41).

The Bucs finally have a rush offense, giving their next offensive coordinator a plethora of tools to keep the unit among the league’s best. Coen certainly played a role in the Bucs’ offensive productivity. And while he’s taking the blueprint to Jacksonville, Coen isn’t bringing Tampa’s offensive artillery.