New Orleans is the only vacant HC spot left

Agreed. The more this plays out, it looks like it's been MM the entire time, but they have to go through the process. Going through the process thoroughly is good work by the FO. Since MM is unemployed, he can reach out to whoever he wants to assemble his staff. If it is him, I wouldn't be surprised if when he's announced the staff, direction and identity of the team is also announced.
They went through a similar "process" to settle on Dennis Allen. I have no trust in the process, especially considering the man who led the last one is leading this one.