Pete Carmichael, Sean Payton's long-time offensive coordinator, will not be his successor with the New Orleans Saints.
ESPN's Mike Triplett reported Friday that Carmichael declined a chance to be interviewed for the Saints' vacancy. Triplett doesn't make clear how the 50-year-old arrived at that decision.
With Carmichael not a candidate and Doug Pederson having been hired as the next head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Triplett adds that the "known candidates" for the position are defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi, former Miami Dolphins' head coach Brian Flores, Detroit Lions' defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Kansas City Chiefs' offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and "possibly" Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich.
While it's unclear whether candidates with an offensive background -- Bieniemy and Leftwich, for example -- would want to retain Carmichael, other candidates probably would have interest in doing so.
Carmichael was the quarterbacks coach from 2006-2008, Payton's first three seasons in New Orleans. Since 2009, he's been the team's offensive coordinator, though he was the 1B to Payton, who is considered one of the best offensive minds in the history of the sport.
Someone like Allen or Rizzi might be willing to hand over offensive play calling to Carmichael, assuming he's interested. It's also possible that he wants to take a season or two off, and resurface as Payton's offensive coordinator at his next destination, assuming there is one.
LISTEN NOW on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
