Report: New Orleans Saints Add Another Highly-Touted Offensive Coordinator Candidate to Their Interview List
An extensive search was promised and an extensive search the New Orleans Saints continue to provide. After moving on from their previous offensive coordinator of 14 season, Pete Carmichael, the Saints are looking to complete a change in the role. In the process, General Manager Mickey Loomis promised an expansive and patient search.
New Orleans now has 9 candidates on their interview list with one new name announced on Friday. Per The Athletic's NFL Insider Dianna Russini, the Saints will interview former Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Brain Johnson. The interview is set for Monday, ahead of next week's Senior Bowl practices.
Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson walks out of the tunnel for a game.
Dec 3, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson walks out of the tunnel for a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Johnson was previously the quarterbacks coach for the Eagles and did wonders with starting signal caller Jalen Hurts in 2022. His first foray into being an offensive coordinator in the pros was just last year. The 2023 season started off overwhelming positive for the Eagles as they got off to a 10-1 start. Unfortunately the season came to a screeching 1-5 halt with the Eagles offense looking redundant and less creative. How much this was on Johnson will have to be something the Saints sort out in their interviews.
It did not help the Eagles that they had a defense finish No. 30 in points allowed and No. 26 in total yardage. Even the top ten offense Philadelphia did field could not overcome the shortcomings on the other side of the ball. But even with that, the offensive limitations became quite glaring by season's end.
Johnson was among the coaching staff members Philadelphia decided to move on from in lieu of head coach Nick Sirianni. Meaning they could be pegged as the NFL's ongoing "scapegoat" strategy or the coordinators were simply not up to snuff.
Many seem to believe that Johnson was merely working within the framework of Sirianni's scheme. So the interview for New Orleans is a good call because it will allow them to learn who Johnson is as a play caller with full autonomy on the offensive side of the ball, as opposed to operating inside of someone else's parameters.
Johnson was getting head coaching buzz as the Eagles were flying high before their collapse. He interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons and Tennessee Titans for their previously open head coach positions and had an interview with the Carolina Panthers fail to materialize. Now that he is back to looking for more offensive coordinator opportunities, he does so with something to prove. Which could, if things align, work out pretty well for the Saints.
In addition to Johnson, the Saints have also interviewed, requested to interview or set up talks with the following candidates thus far:
- Los Angeles Rams QB Coach/Passing Game Coordinator Zac Robinson
- Houston Texans QB Coach Jerrod Johnson
- San Francisco 49ers Passing Game Coordinator Klint Kubiak
- San Francisco 49ers QB Coach Brian Griese
- Pittsburgh Steelers QB Coach Mike Sullivan
- New Orleans Saints QB Coach/Passing Game Coordiantor Ronald Curry
- Cincinnati Bengals QB Coach Dan Pitcher (Accepted OC position with the Bengals)
- Seattle Seahawks Offensive Coordinator Shane Waldron (Accepted OC position with the Chicago Bears)
