Report: Cowboys' Mike McCarthy, Chiefs' Matt Nagy Linked to Saints' HC Opening

Matt Nagy, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator and former Chicago Bears head coach, could get another shot at leading a team in New Orleans.

The Athletic's Dianna Russini wrote on Saturday to "expect the Saints to show interest" in Nagy a potential head coach.

The Saints "could also look at" Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy should he move on from the franchise this winter, Russini reported.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has repeatedly expressed his faith in McCarthy this fall, although the team has yet to extend his contract past the 2024 season.

The Saints are seeking a permanent replacement for Dennis Allen, who was fired after his team lost seven straight games earlier this season. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi could also be considered for the job, according to Russini.

The Saints have gone 3-4 under Rizzi, who served as the Saints' special teams coach from 2019 until his promotion. He could remain part of the team's coaching staff even if another head coach is hired this offseason, per Russini.

Rizzi told the Saints after taking over the head coaching role that becoming an NFL head coach was something he's "been working toward my whole coaching career," per ESPN's Katherine Terrell.

He will now compete to keep his dream job with the advantage of experience with the Saints while being disadvantaged by his lack of previous NFL head coaching experience.

Nagy, who spent four seasons leading the Bears, has meanwhile received head coaching buzz after working with Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the Chiefs' offense through two Super Bowl wins.

CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones reported in November that some NFL coaches and executives believe Nagy "should be in the mix" for a head coaching job in 2025.

McCarthy could also hit the head coaching carousel if he parts ways with the Cowboys this offseason. The franchise is "already doing their homework on potential head coaches" in case of a split, according to Russini.

The Saints are likely to have competition if they decide to pursue McCarthy. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler recently reported that the Cowboys head coach could have interest in joining the Chicago Bears.

Rizzi has one more chance to make his case for his first permanent NFL head coaching job when the Saints wrap up the 2024 season with Sunday's road game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.