Saints fire longtime offensive coordinator in massive staff shakeup
The Saints offense is going to look different in 2024.
On Tuesday, NFL insiders Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport reported that longtime offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. was one of several offensive staff members fired by the Saints.
New Orleans also dismissed senior offensive assistant Bob Bicknell and wide receivers coach Kodi Burns.
Carmichael joined the organization as a member of Sean Payton's first coaching staff in 2006 and was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2009.
His firing was expected after the Saints struggled to field a consistent offense throughout 2023. While they finished the season ninth in scoring (23.6 points per game), the Saints were 15th on third downs and 18th in the red zone. They also averaged a paltry 3.6 yards per rush attempt, 31st in the league.
Carmichael's slow embrace of play action and his aversion to pre-snap motion also helped make Allen's decision easy.
With the offensive staff shake-up, more pressure is on Allen to get New Orleans back on track to the playoffs in 2024. The Saints have intriguing offensive weapons to make the job attractive, but Allen's lack of long-term job security could make it less appealing. If Allen is fired after next season, the franchise's next head coach would likely bring in his own staff.
Reports surfaced last week that former Raiders head coach Jon Gruden was in consideration for an analyst role with the Saints, and it's possible, with Carmichael's firing, that the team will consider him as its offensive coordinator.
His resume far exceeds anything Allen has done as head coach, which could lead to an interesting dynamic if the Saints start slowly.
The clock is ticking on Allen's tenure in New Orleans. His choice of offensive coordinator will determine how much longer it lasts.
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