According to sources, the Saints plan to hire a different up-and-coming young coach to fill the post of offensive coordinator.
According to CBS NFL reporter Jonathan Jones, the New Orleans Saints have requested an interview with Houston Texans quarterback coach Jerrod Johnson. Johnson is expected to be interviewed for the open offensive coordinator position with the Saints.
Pete Carmichael, the longtime offensive coordinator for New Orleans, was sacked last week. Additionally, they fired senior offensive assistant Bob Bicknell and WR coach Kodi Burns. In 2023, the Saints had a 9-8 record and missed the playoffs for the third straight year. In terms of total yards and points scored, their offensive was rated 14th.
Johnson, 35, recently concluded his first season coaching the Houston Texans’ quarterbacks. He has previously served as offensive quality control coach for the Indianapolis Colts in 2020 and 2021 and assistant quarterback coach for the Minnesota Vikings in 2022.
From 2008 to 2010, Johnson played college football for Texas A&M, where he ended his career as the Aggies’ all-time top passer. In terms of throwing yards and overall offense, he presently ranks second and third in school history. Between 2011 and 2016, Johnson, who was not chosen in the 2011 NFL Draft, spent time on the practice squads of six different NFL teams.
Johnson was a member of the offensive team in Houston that managed the quick development of rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, the second overall choice in the previous spring’s draft. The Texans had an unexpected 10-7 season and the AFC South title, ranking eighth in passing production.
Houston Texans coach Jerrod Johnson (left) instructs quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during practice.
With only five interceptions and 23 touchdowns on 4,108 yards from completion, C.J. Stroud completed 63.9% of his passes. In six of his fifteen appearances, he completed passes for more than 300 yards, and in mid-October, he helped lead his club to a 20-13 victory over the Saints.
Leading the NFL in passing yards per game, Stroud averaged 273.9. Of all the quarterbacks in the league, he had the lowest interception %. Stroud will probably win the 2023 NFL Rookie of the Year award thanks to his poise and all-around abilities.
Johnson represents the fourth applicant for whom the Saints have formally asked for an interview. The other quarterback coaches are Shane Waldron of the Seahawks, Zac Robinson of the Rams, and Tom Pitcher of the Bengals.
