The New Orleans Saints have interviewed Jim Tomsula about their vacant defensive line job.

The Saints are looking to replace Bill Johnson, who was fired as part of a staff shakeup.

Tomsula went 5-11 in his one season as San Francisco 49ers head coach in 2015, and was defensive line coach there for the eight years prior.

The New Orleans Saints made their biggest changes to their coaching staff in the 11 years since Sean Payton was hired as head coach.

The Saints either fired or mutually parted ways with at least five assistants, including Vitt and special-teams coordinator Greg McMahon, both of whom had been with Payton since he arrived in January 2006. Longtime defensive line coach Bill Johnson, assistant special-teams coach Stan Kwan and linebackers coach James Willis also have been let go.

Vitt is the biggest surprise on the list, because he had been arguably Payton's most trusted deputy throughout his tenure in New Orleans. 

Vitt served as an interim head coach during Payton's 2012 suspension as part of the Bountygate penalties.

If no teams volunteers, there are eight teams that the NFL can force to appear on HBO's Hard Knocks this year.

Those teams are the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints.

A team can be forced to appear on Hard Knocks if three conditions are met: a) it hasn't appeared on Hard Knocks in the last 10 years, b) it hasn't made the playoffs in the last two years, and c) it doesn't have a new head coach.

The NFL has very few teams this season that excel in all facets of the game. Further evidence of this issue shows itself in the fact that there is only one team ranking in the top-10 in both Football Outsiders' Offensive and Defensive DVOA.

Last season, the Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs ranked in the top-10 on both sides of the ball.

The Chiefs were the closest team to finish in the top-10 in both Offensive and Defensive DVOA at 13th and 14th.

The New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys finished the season ranked first and second in both Total DVOA and Weighted DVOA.

Sean Payton has denied rumors that he met with New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis on Sunday to discuss his future with the club.

Payton says he and Loomis have met regularly after every road game since he became the Saints coach in 2006.

"We're not gonna address rumors, reports. If we answered those every time, it would be silly," he said.

Payton later went even further Monday night on his radio show and issued his most declarative statement to date on his Saints future.

"My plan is to definitely be back here. ... I have four years left on my contract, and I plan on honoring that."

Sean Payton met with New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis following Sunday's finale, according to a source.

The discussions are expected to continue into the week, as the Saints try to determine whether Payton will keep coaching in New Orleans or Loomis will be willing to explore a trade with another team.

The Los Angeles Rams are reportedly interested in Payton.