The New Orleans Saints have some decisions to make on offense this offseason, and they're knee-deep in the process midway through the NFL postseason.
The Saints have now been linked to seven candidates that they either have interviewed or intend to interview to replace Pete Carmichael, though one is already expected to head elsewhere.
"I think the most important thing is the right guy in the right situation, take your time, make sure it’s a thoughtful, planned decision," Loomis said in his end-of-year press conference. "So we’re gonna go through the process and we’re gonna make the right hire. We’re not going to make the expedient hire."
That process is already underway, with the Saints linked to six candidates for interviews.
- *Shane Waldron, Seahawks OC
- Zac Robinson, Rams QBs coach
- Dan Pitcher, Bengals QBs coach
- Jerrod Johnson, Texans QBs coach
- Klint Kubiak, 49ers pass game specialist (report)
- Brian Griese, 49ers QBs coach (report)
- Ronald Curry, Saints QBs coach (report)
Waldron was a hot name in the OC cycle having spent the past three seasons with the Seahawks and helping to revitalize the career of Geno Smith. Head coach Pete Carroll transitioned into an advisory role with the Seahawks and Waldron became available in this coaching cycle, but he is expected to take the OC job with the Bears. Chicago is an attractive landing spot for obvious reasons, most notably because they own the No. 1 overall pick and could use that on a top quarterback, a plus for anyone trying to lead a new offense.
Pitcher is also a hot name in the cycle, but he could also soon be off the market with the hiring of Bengals OC Brian Callahan to be the new head coach of the Tennessee Titans. The Bengals could opt to elevate Pitcher to their OC role, considering his close relationship with star QB Joe Burrow.
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The latter three names on the list, Johnson, Kubiak and Griese, are late additions because their teams played into the divisional round of the postseason. All six candidates currently have ties to systems run by either Sean McVay and/or Kyle Shanahan, a clear theme in this search. Johnson is an intriguing up-and-coming coach, particularly with the ascension of rookie C.J. Stroud this sesason, with indirect ties to both. He spent this season alongside OC Bobby Slowik, who came up under Shanahan, and spent the 2022 season as the Vikings' assistant QBs coach under Kevin O'Connell, a leaf off the McVay tree.
Johnson's availability could be another that's contingent on the head coach carousel, with Slowik's name a popular one among teams in search of a new HC. Should the OC job be vacated, it's possible Johnson could be the one elevated.
The Saints could consider more in-house candidates for the position, but to this point QBs coach Ronald Curry is the only name that's sufaced, a popular member of the staff with a ringing endorsement throughout the season from QB Derek Carr. One key question will be just how much the Saints want to reinvent their offense. If the answer to that question is significantly, that could the team to lean toward an outside hire.
Another name that continues to come up is that of former head coach Jon Gruden, who has been out of NFC coaching circles since his ouster from the Raiders in 2021 following an email scandal. He spent time with the Saints as a consultant last offseason, but has yet to surface as an official candidate. Gruden still has an active lawsuit pending against the NFL stemming from his Raiders firing.
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The Saints will be patient and calculating in the decision, but the clock is ticking as the Senior Bowl and other major scouting events loom. It's not a necessity to have the OC in place by the time an event such as the Senior Bowl arrives at the end of January, but it would certainly ideal. The OC hire will also likely impact decision-making for the hiring of a new RBs coach with Joel Thomas departing to the Giants, and WRs coach after the firing of Kodi Burns. The Saints also have an offensive assistant role open after the firing of Bob Bicknell on the same day as Carmichael and Burns.
Loomis also wouldn't rule out further staffing changes, giving no indication either way when asked earlier this month. On the defensive side of the ball things appear to be remaining steady, though linebackers coach Michael Hodges was requested for an interview for the defensive coordinator job under new Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo. Another former Saints defensive coach also made headlines this week, with Ryan Nielsen headed to the Jaguars as their new defensive coordinator under Doug Pederson, with the Falcons casting their net wide as they seek a new head coach, having interviewed seemingly every major candidate to this point. The Panthers are also seeking a new head coach, though their search appears to be a bit more narrow.