The New Orleans Saints have hired longtime NFL executive Thomas Dimitroff as a front-office consultant. GM Mickey Loomis announced the addition of Dimitroff on Tuesday. The 59-year-old Dimitroff brings nearly three decades of NFL experience to New Orleans.
He previously served as general manager of the Atlanta Falcons from 2008 to 2020, leading Atlanta to Super Bowl LI, and earned the NFL Executive of the Year award twice. Before that, Dimitroff held scouting roles with the Patriots, Browns, Lions, and Chiefs.
Since leaving the Falcons, he spent the last few years working for private scouting services, launching a podcast, and looking for his next opportunity.
This hire builds on his early-season involvement; he had been working with the Saints since April and throughout training camp.
Proven Record in Talent Building
Dimitroff’s pedigree includes selecting quarterback Matt Ryan and trading up for wideout Julio Jones, moves that defined Atlanta’s success for a decade. His scouting credentials run deep, from director of college scouting for the Patriots to front-office positions across the league.
With the Falcons, Dimitroff’s teams compiled a 113-95 record, with six trips to the playoffs.
This track record should help the Saints as they seek to rebuild. The team faces a major question in finding a franchise quarterback, currently starting Spencer Rattler. With a roster rated as one of the worst in the NFL, his history of successful talent evaluation could make him even more important.
Strategic Depth and a Rivalry Twist
This hire adds a third former GM to the Saints’ current front office. Assistant general manager Jeff Ireland and senior personnel advisor Randy Mueller also bring prior GM experience to the mix. The Saints also hired former Las Vegas Raiders GM Dave Ziegler as an advisor last year before he joined the Tennessee Titans.
Dimitroff steps into the role created by Ziegler’s departure, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
The move also carries an ironic twist: Dimitroff is joining the Falcons’ top rival after 12 seasons in Atlanta. The “man who helped shape some of the team’s most memorable rosters is now on the opposite sideline, quietly helping a division rival build its future,” wrote Jason Kandel of Blogging Dirty.
Implications for the Saints’ Future
In the short term, Dimitroff will support GM Mickey Loomis in roster strategy, leveraging his talent-evaluation skills and front-office savvy. The Saints need leadership in scouting, drafting, and roster-building. Dimitroff’s arrival boosts the front office’s capacity to develop long-term strategies to get the Saints back to the top of the NFC.
Looking ahead, this may serve as a stepping stone for Dimitroff. Pro Football Rumors and others note he interviewed earlier in 2025 for GM roles with the Jets and Titans, though he wasn’t chosen for either job. His latest role may elevate his stock for future opportunities.
New Orleans has missed the playoffs in each of the past four seasons, and current GM Mickey Loomis may be on the hot seat. With Loomis already the longest-serving general manager in the NFL, Dimitroff could be positioned to take the reins for the Saints if he decides to step down after this season.
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