When reporting on Wednesday that the Saints have fired V.P. of player personnel Rick Mueller, we also shared some speculation from some league circles that Mueller’s termination was the result of a power play by G.M. Mickey Loomis.

The thinking is that Loomis is looking to be the next high-profile non-football guy to become a football guy, in the mold of Mike Tannenbaum and Howie Roseman.

But we’re now told by a source that Mueller’s termination had nothing to do with Loomis and everything to do with coach Sean Payton.

Payton, who was groomed in part under Bill Parcells, apparently is looking to take a page from the Tuna’s cook the meal/buy the groceries playbook.  And with no replacement being named for Mueller, the authority previously held by Mueller will land, apparently, in Payton’s lap.

Rick Mueller somehow survived for six years the termination of his brother, Randy, who previously was the G.M. in New Orleans.