The worst kept secret in Saints land is now official: Klint Kubiak will be the next offensive coordinator in New Orleans.
The move was widely reported over the past several weeks, but could not become official until after the Super Bowl. That's what happened Monday morning, according to a report from Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.
The move is the first domino in an offseason that will effectively rebuild the New Orleans Saints' offensive coaching staff and scheme for the first time since Sean Payton took over as head coach in 2006. In the first two years since Dennis Allen took over prior to the 2022 season the offense had been led by longtime OC Pete Carmichael, but those two years were marred by inconsistency and multiple changes at quarterback.
The Saints moved on from eight offensive coaches this offseason, with three of those openings appearing to be accounted for. Former Bears QB coach Andrew Janocko is expected to fill the role vacated by Ronald Curry, while veteran coach John Benton is expected to take over as the leader of the OL group, a job held the past two seasons by Doug Marrone.
The Saints have also moved on from WRs coach Kodi Burns, RBs coach Joel Thomas. Assistant OL coach Kevin Carberry is taking over as the OL coach for the Bucs, while offensive assistant DJ Williams will be the QBs coach for the Falcons. The Saints also fired another assistant in Bob Bicknell. Carmichael is rejoining Sean Payton with the Broncos.
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However those positions are filled, they will be tasked with implementing and adapting Kubiak's offensive mold for the Saints, with the team not expected to make a change at quarterback after an up and down first season with Derek Carr. The veteran signal-caller battled injuries throughout the 2023 season and had notable struggles in the red zone, though as he got healthy and settled in the offense did seem to find a rhythm. The Saints were among the NFL's top red zone offenses from Week 13 on and won four of their final five games to finish 9-8, though they missed out on tiebreakers as the Bucs won the NFC South and the Packers took a wild card with the same record. Both teams made it to the divisional round of the postseason.
The influences behind Kubiak's offense will also be an interesting element to watch unfold, having spent the past season as the passing game specialist for the 49ers, an offense led by second-year pro Brock Purdy. Shanahan's staff, known for its creative motion, tight formations and wide zone run schemes, was again among the top units in the league, but fell to the Chiefs in overtime of Super Bowl 58. Kubiak, the son of former NFL head coach Gary Kubiak, also spent a year as OC on Mike Zimmer's staff with the Vikings in 2021, and was the QBs coach for Russell Wilson on Nathaniel Hackett's Broncos staff in 2022.
The Saints had not yet announced the hire as of Tuesday morning.