NFC Notes: Buccaneers, GM Terry Fontenot Presser, Saints HC Buzz

Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles said S Antoine Winfield Jr. (knee) would have been a full participant on Wednesday if it was an actual practice instead of a walk-through, via Jenna Laine.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler points out Falcons HC Raheem Morris didn’t exactly give DC Jimmy Lake a rousing vote of confidence at the end of the season and Atlanta is a possibility to be in the market for a new defensive coordinator.
Falcons GM Terry Fontenot spoke to reporters on Thursday, saying they were disappointed by this season’s results: “I’ll start out by saying how disappointed we are in the result of the season. When this is what the result is, nobody is happy about that.” (Josh Kendall)
Fontenot originally planned to have Kirk Cousins be their starting quarterback for a longer period and allow Michael Penix to develop: “The plan was for Kirk to play longer, and Mike to sit longer… We are comfortable with where we are at this point.” (Tori McElhaney)
Fontenot indicated Cousins “was healthy” throughout the 2024 season and “the play just wasn’t there.” (Kendall)
As for the 2025 NFL Draft, Fontenot it’s possible for them to trade down from No. 15 overall to pick up more picks, per D. Orlando Ledbetter.

ESPN’s Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler both have heard Lions DC Aaron Glenn seems like the early favorite for the Saints’ head coaching vacancy.
Fowler notes Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy could also have interest in the job if he leaves Dallas.