Photo by:Stephen Lew
After a remarkable 15-season tenure as the New Orleans Saints' offensive coordinator, Pete Carmichael Jr. faces a significant career shift as the team decides to part ways with him, concluding an impactful 18-year association with the franchise. The decision stems from a string of three consecutive seasons where the Saints missed the playoffs, compelling the organization to reevaluate and overhaul their offensive strategies. Ross Jackson, host of the Locked On Saints podcast, underscores the inevitability of this move, citing the persistent inconsistency plaguing the team's offensive performances in recent years.
In the aftermath of a late-season surge that saw the Saints clinch four victories in their final five games, the team fell short of a postseason berth, narrowly edged out by unfavorable tiebreakers with Tampa Bay and Green Bay. The repercussions of this development extend beyond Carmichael, as senior offensive assistant Bob Bicknell and receivers coach Kodi Burns also bid farewell to the Saints, marking a comprehensive restructuring within the coaching staff.
Head coach Dennis Allen, entrusted with the oversight of the team's defense, acknowledges the complexity of such decisions but underscores their indispensability for the Saints' continual progress. Expressing gratitude for Carmichael's 18 years of dedicated service, Allen highlights the invaluable contributions the outgoing coordinator made to the coaching staff. Carmichael's journey began in 2009 when he assumed the role of offensive coordinator under then-head coach Sean Payton. During this period, Payton primarily orchestrated the design and execution of the offense, collaborating with Carmichael to navigate the intricacies of the game.
The zenith of Carmichael's tenure arrived in 2012 when, during Payton's suspension in connection with the NFL's bounty investigation, the Saints, under Carmichael's play-calling and with Drew Brees as their quarterback, secured the second rank in the NFL in offense, amassing an impressive 410.9 yards per game. While the Saints remain discreet about potential replacements for Carmichael, speculation abounds regarding a potential collaboration with former NFL head coach Jon Gruden. Gruden, absent from the league since his resignation from the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021, adds an intriguing layer of uncertainty to the Saints' coaching transition.
As the Saints embark on this significant coaching shuffle, the anticipation surrounding their future offensive strategy intensifies, leaving fans and analysts alike eager to witness the evolution and innovation that will define the next chapter of the New Orleans Saints' football journey.