Falcons request interview with Saints’ co-DC Ryan Nielsen
The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman reports Atlanta Falcons request an interview with Ryan Nielsen (New Orleans Saints codefensive coordinator), an experienced coach who drafted and developed their entire defensive line since joining them in 2017. Falcons defensive coordinator Dean Pees retired after the 2022 season, and they have been actively searching for his successor on head coach Arthur Smith’s staff. In what ended up being a disjointed partnership between the two of them, Nielsen and Kris Richard this season, Nielsen shared his job title alongside Dennis Allen.
Nielsen would be happy to have the freedom to call plays and run his own defense. NFL rules allow co-coordinators to interview for full-time coordinator positions. However, New Orleans may have wanted to change things up in their coaching staff regardless if there was an outside interest. Sean Payton tried hard to keep Nielsen in his team’s fold when the LSU Tigers called. But a return to college ranks is not the same as a move to a rival division. And Allen isn’t Payton.
This is something you should be watching. Nielsen knows Terry Fontenot (Falcons general manager), who was previously employed in the Saints’ front office when Nielsen was fired from his previous job at North Carolina State. They should both have an idea about the preferences of their athletes, and this could offer Nielsen an opportunity to move up if he accepts the job. Keep checking back for more information.
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