New Orleans Saints Offensive Coordinator Search: Rams Assistant Coach Zac Robinson Requested, Per Report
NEW ORLEANS -- If you need an offensive coordinator in today's NFL, grabbing candidates from the coaching trees of some of the most brilliant offensive minds is definitely a good way to go. That is what the New Orleans Saints have continuously done so far in the early stages of their offensive coordinator search. Unlike the other requests so far, this one goes directly to the source.
Per NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill, the Saints have requested an interview with Los Angeles Rams Quarterbacks Coach/Passing Game Coordinator Zac Robinson. This was one of the top candidates that were listed earlier this week by the Saints News Network team. His connection to Rams head coach Sean McVay is a massive selling point for teams looking for a new playcaller across the league.
Zac Robinson observes practice during Los Angeles Rams Training Camp.
Jun 7, 2022; Thousand Oaks, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Zac Robinson during minicamp at Cal Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Rams offense put together both the best individual rushing day and passing day against the Saints just a few weeks ago. Quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 328 passing yards with two touchdown passes and a 120.7 passer rating, which was the highest allowed by the Saints defense in 2023. Meanwhile running back Kyren Williams rushed for 104 yards, also the highest total allowed by New Orleans, and added a touchdown run for good measure.
An up-close-and-personal look at the success of that offense, which uses a ton of disguise, motion and eye candy to throw off defenses, certainly does not hurt ahead of this hiring process. When it comes to innovation, the Rams are among the teams that lead the conversation. Even the simplest move forward could go a long way in improving the Saints' offensive consistency in 2024.
Saints quarterback Derek Carr performed much better toward the end of the season when his play action dropbacks began to tick up. Over the first 12 games of the year, the team averaged just over 4 play action dropbacks per game. Over the final 5 games of the year, that frequency leapt to 7.2 per game. McVay and the Rams ran 7.73 such plays per game over the 15 games for which Stafford was healthy. That is a step in the right direction.
Landing a candidate like Robinson could be a home run hire for the Saints.
