The 2024 offseason has kicked off in earnest for the New Orleans Saints: longtime offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael is out, as are multiple position coaches and assistants.
Saints head coach Dennis Allen will be back and he’s hard at work rebuilding his staff, looking for upgrades to get them back to the playoffs in 2024. We’re keeping up with every interview request and staff change as they’re reported, so check this space often for updates.
Here’s what we know so far:
Saints dismiss offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael
On Jan. 16, Carmichael was let go after his second season calling plays and decades with the team. He was too slow to adjust to league trends and adapt the offense to Derek Carr’s strengths, also taking some blame for the regressed running game. The Saints needed to make a change.
The team made an assumption that Pete Carmichael could keep it afloat thanks to his 15 years of experience in the system, as the NFL’s longest-tenured offensive coordinator — but that blew up in their face. They averaged just 19.4 points per game this season and a meagre 13.5 points per game through their final six contests. That’s inexcusable with the playmakers assembled in New Orleans.
Carmichael mismanaged personnel throughout the season, failing to creatively use Alvin Kamara on the ground (with too many runs flowing between the tackles in 10 yards-to-go situations) and through the air (with the fewest designed screen passes in the league, and little to no targets out of the slot) and neglecting to keep his most effective short-yardage convertor, Taysom Hill, involved for long stretches of play. Electrifying rookie receiver Rashid Shaheed didn’t become a regular part of the offense until Week 11.
And that doesn’t even get into his concerning trends as a play caller. Few offenses had more rushing attempts on 2nd-and-10 after an incomplete pass than the Saints did under Carmichael (37), with defenses responding accordingly by allowing just 3.4 yards per carry on those downs. Carmichael never seemed to buck that trend, among others. New Orleans needs to evolve.
So making a change at offensive coordinator should be one of the first moves of their offseason. Whether the Saints try to keep things in-house again or fully explore their options outside the building, here are six names on their radar:
Ronald Curry, Saints quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator
Curry is still worthy of consideration even though it appears doubtful that New Orleans will follow up on its continuity strategy from the previous summer. Although he has worked with the Saints’ offensive system for a number of years, he would like to offer something new to that side of the ball. Given his background as a wide receiver and quarterback, the passing game would undoubtedly attract more attention. It will be crucial for him to approach the offensive from a fresh angle, therefore he will need to demonstrate this. The remainder of the journey might be made easier by his familiarity with the personnel and organization..
Thomas Brown, Rams tight ends coach and assistant head coach
While working with Sean McVay, Brown has risen up the ranks in Los Angeles, and if McVay leaves for a short sabbatical or to pursue a media opportunity, Brown may have to hunt for other employment. And it’s time for the Saints to call him. As McVay’s assistant for the past two years, he has seen how the sausage is made and has expertise coaching a variety of position groupings, having started with the running backs before switching to the tight ends. In addition, he has numerous seasons of experience as the Miami Hurricanes’ college offensive coordinator. The coaching tree under McVay has produced some successful results, and Brown might be the next astute offshoot. At minimum, the Saints ought to give him a call.
Bobby Slowik, 49ers passing game coordinator
Becoming a student of Kyle Shanahan is the way to go if you want to push this Saints offense into the modern NFL. In addition to working with the young talent Mike McDaniel, who is currently the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, Slowik has been the head coach of the 49ers since 2017. He might bring a wide zone strategy to San Francisco, which makes his role as passing game coordinator important. It would be amazing to see Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and Kamara—two fast receivers and an all-star running back—in a scheme that emphasized their ability to make plays. The signing of Slowik by the Saints may yield the same advantages as the hiring of former 49ers passing game coordinator Mike LaFleur by the New York Jets. That is, until their quarterback predicament became an obstacle. Slowik’s background as a defensive coach is also helpful. Something the organization could find interesting given that he would be hatching plots to undermine fronts and coverages he is familiar with.
Frank Reich, former Colts head coach and Eagles offensive coordinator
Even though Reich is overqualified for this position, the Saints should still give it a call. In his time with the Colts and Eagles, he was a successful play caller and offensive coordinator. The issue is that Jim Irsay, the erratic owner, never seems to know what he wants, and Indianapolis never managed to get a quarterback, leaving him with a string of veterans who are past their prime. Reich would perform best in a stable environment. Rebuilding his reputation in the league and creating chances for him to lead his winning club as head coach in the future would be greatly aided by taking a year to improve the Saints’ offense.
Brian Johnson, Eagles quarterbacks coach
To fully appreciate Johnson’s value, this move would require a quarterback switch. Hey, that might already be on its way. Johnson might shoot to the top of the Saints’ prospect list if they decide to invest in a mobile quarterback this year (by selecting Tennessee passer Hendon Hooker, for example). That shouldn’t be regarded as far-fetched, given their persistent efforts to get Deshaun Watson before 2022. It is amazing what he has done to assist quarterback Jalen Hurts in his passing development in Philadelphia. After two seasons with Johnson, Hurts moved from being questioned as the league’s starter to a definite front-runner for MVP. In addition, he matches the coaching staff changes the Saints organization has made recently because he was once a player.. — Ross Jackson
Liam Coen, Rams offensive coordinator
It was previously rumored that Coen intended to return to Kentucky as the offensive coordinator for the Wildcats, but he has now backed off, which makes sense with all of the turmoil in the coaching ranks. This time of year, things move quickly. The Saints returned to Carmichael after considering Coen during the previous offseason, but he chose to work with McVay and the Rams. Being one of the brightest prospects in coaching circles right now, he would be an intriguing fit in New Orleans given he has professional experience instructing both quarterbacks and receivers. The Saints might present Coen with a good opportunity to stay in the NFL if McVay is out of the picture.
