REPORT: Former Saints Assistant Ryan Nielsen Leaves Atlanta Falcons After One Season

Former New Orleans Saints Co-Defensive Coordinator Ryan Nielsen heads to the Jacksonville Jaguars after just one season in Atlanta.

While all local eyes are on the New Orleans Saints’s open offensive coordinator role, former coaching staff members are making moves too. Former Saints co-defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, who spent the 2023 season as the defensive coordinator of the rival Atlanta Falcons, has a new gig. 

Per ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, Nielsen will be headed to the Jacksonville Jaguars as their new defensive coordinator. Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson moved on from Mike Caldwell, who held the position in 2023, a few weeks ago.

Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen answers questions for the media during minicamp, / Jun 14, 2023; Flowery Branch, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen answers questions for the media during minicamp at IBM Performance Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

For the Saints, this is positive news. At least for now. Nielsen had an intimate understanding of what the Saints like to do on both sides of the ball. That has now left the NFC South. However, it could signal a much bigger name and challenge is on the way.

Nielsen was only with Atlanta for one season wherein he captained a unit that ranked respectively in both yardage allowed (No. 11) and scoring (No. 18). That means his departure could be more tied to the team's ongoing head coaching search rather than his performance. It is not out of the ordinary to see coordinators head elsewhere as their team's head coach is fired or leaves.

The potential incoming coach then becomes the focus for both Falcons and Saints fans. And with high-profile candidates on Atlanta's list like former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and Michigan Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh, Nielsen's departure comes with a sense of foreboding that a big hire could be on the way for the Falcons.

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