The Saints will not be looking to replace Offensive Coordinator Pete Carmichael this offseason. The announcement comes as a surprise to many Saints fans who expected the team to move on from one or both of Head coach Dennis Allen and Carmichael after a disappointing season offensively. Reports say New Orleans will not plan to replace any additional assistant coaches before next year. Host of the Locked on Saints Podcast Ross Jackson didn’t expect this decision.
“I thought some people on the Saints would be making some changes to their offensive staff after being 22nd in the league last year in scoring which was their worst finish in an NFL season since the 2005 year before everything changed for the New Orleans Saints franchise.”
While the lack of change may surprise some, Jackson said it’s not uncharacteristic for the organization, who’s valued continuity in the coaching staff. The Saints were 19th in total offensive yards in 2022 and struggled with key injuries all season, most notably starting quarterback Jameis Winston and receiver Michael Thomas. Backup quarterback Andy Dalton did well to manage the offense, ranking 10th in completion percentage and quarterback rating despite lackluster yardage stats, but Jackson says they’ll need to make a change if they want to find success in the same scheme.
“If the Saints are gonna move ahead with the same mentality or philosophy or offense that they moved ahead with in 2022 in 2023, then you’re gonna want a playmaker at quarterback, and Andy Dalton doesn’t check that box.”
The move in favor of continuity comes in an offseason of potential change and uncertainty for the Black and Gold. The Saints do not have a first-round pick in this year’s draft and are coming off their first losing season since 2016. The team is looking for first-round compensation for former Head Coach Sean Payton who may make a return to coaching, and just restructured former Offensive Player of the Year Michael Thomas’s contract for a potential trade. With no solid picture of what the offense may look like next season but a strong defense set to return, Jackson said, if things were to go south, Allen and Carmichael could find themselves on the hot seat…
“And I would say that the heat would be on Mickey Loomis as well. Mickey Loomis is a big part of this decision and this evaluation process, and so I think that there is something there in terms of everybody that’s a part of that decision- they’re gonna get a little bit of heat if it doesn’t work out.”
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