Dave Ziegler will join the Saints via the 2024 draft.
When the Raiders fired head coach Josh McDaniels midway through his second season, general manager Dave Ziegler was also let go. The latter has found his next NFL opportunity, at least for the near term.
According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, Ziegler will join the Saints as an advisor for the 2017 draft. This interim deal will provide New Orleans with an experienced voice in important personnel choices over the next few weeks as the franchise navigates its yearly cap gymnastics and free agency period. The draft will, of course, be another important checkpoint on the offseason schedule.
Ziegler began his administrative career with the Broncos in 2010. He served as a player personnel assistant that year, but later gained scouting experience in Denver and New England. The 46-year-old rose through the Patriots’ ranks to become player personnel director in 2021 before joining the Raiders as general manager.
Things did not go as planned in Vegas, however. During his tenure as head coach, the Raiders went 14-20, with a strong ‘Patriot Way’ flavor. A number of former Patriots players were brought in, notably quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
In his inaugural season in Vegas, the veteran faced fresh injury issues, and interim coach Antonio Pierce benched him in favor of youngster Aidan O’Connell. Garoppolo’s PED suspension will allow the Raiders’ new leadership to cut bait, but finding a successor will be a key priority this summer as the team looks to move on from the McDaniels-Ziegler duo.
The Saints have a lot of crucial decisions to make in the near future, including the continuance of the restructures and extensions required to stay under the salary cap. However, a handful of veterans, like wideout Michael Thomas, whose contract allows for his release, will most likely be let go.
Replacing them in free agency and the draft will be critical in the Saints’ quest to make the playoffs after a combined 16-18 record under coach Dennis Allen. It would be fascinating to see if Ziegler extends his tenure in New Orleans or improves his chances of landing another executive role elsewhere after the draft.
