Suspended Gregg Williams can look for coaching jobs

Sean Payton is back in the fold. Gregg Williams might not be far behind.

Debate: Saints winners again?

Without Sean Payton, the Saints went 7-9 in 2012. Will the reinstated coach turn them right back into serious contenders? **More ...**

NFL.com's Albert Breer reported Tuesday that Williams, suspended indefinitely for his role in the New Orleans Saints' "bounty" fiasco, is free to look for work, according to the league. Commissioner Roger Goodell, however, plans to review Williams' reinstatement if and when he lands a job. That's an unusual wrinkle to the deal, to say the least.

Payton was reinstated from his season-long suspension as coach of the Saints on Tuesday, but it's obvious New Orleans is not a landing spot for Williams. Same goes for the St. Louis Rams.

Williams was hired last offseason as defensive coordinator of the Rams, but won't return to that role, a team source told Breer. The Rams already are shopping for someone else to run their defense.

It's unlikely a team is going to bring Williams on at the coordinator level for the 2013 season. It would invite an unwanted circus and he'd be under the proverbial microscope.

Drew Brees

There's also the issue of timing here. Any team going through the trouble of hiring Williams must wait for Goodell's decision on his status. As Williams attempts a comeback, that's an overt roadblock -- one that might keep suitors away.

With eight new head coaches filling out their staffs and plenty of assistant shuffling ahead, however, Williams does stand a chance of landing a new gig.

Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.