National Football League

Report: Rob Ryan will return as Saints' defensive coordinator

Published Jan. 7, 2015 9:24 a.m. ET

foxsports

New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan will return for the 2015 season, The Times-Picayune reported Wednesday.

There had been speculation that Ryan would be let go from head coach Sean Payton's staff because New Orleans ranked 31st in league in total defense in 2014 after ranking fourth in 2013 -- Ryan's first season on the job.

However, the newspaper notes that multiple defensive players, including linebacker Curtis Lofton and cornerback Keenan Lewis, lobbied for Ryan to return.

"I don't want to play for any other defensive coordinator other than Rob Ryan," Lofton told The Times-Picayune.