Pete

Carmichael

Carmichael spent two seasons working with new Bills head coach Joe Brady in New Orleans (2017-2018), when Carmichael was the Saints’ offensive coordinator. Carmichael joined the Broncos in 2024 and won’t be tasked with calling plays in Buffalo after Brady said he would continue to oversee play-calling duties. Carmichael provides a strong veteran presence in the building and has been part of several successful offenses with Sean Payton and Drew Brees.

A longtime member of Sean Payton’s staff in New Orleans, Carmichael — fired by the Saints this month — will reunite with Payton in Denver. It’s unclear what, exactly, Carmichael’s role will be with the Broncos, who last season ranked 20th in expected points added (EPA) while benching Russell Wilson late in the season. Payton continues cobbling together players and coaches with whom he worked in New Orleans.

Carmichael had been with the Saints since 2006, starting as the quarterback coach, the same year that Drew Brees arrived. He was eventually made the offensive coordinator in 2009 and has stood in that position until now. Dennis Allen will now look for a new voice on the offensive side of the ball to help give the Saints’ 14th ranked offense a boost. Carmichael won a Super Bowl with the Saints after the 2009 season.

Carmichael has been with the Saints since 2006 as former coach Sean Payton’s righthand man on offense. He graduated from QBs coach to OC in 2009. Under new coach Dennis Allen, the Saints were expected to keep Carmichael but demote him to a different role. After a round of interviews, the Saints obviously didn’t find a candidate they liked better and will roll with Carmichael for a 14th season. But with offensive-minded Payton out of town and Allen a defensive brain, Carmichael will need more help from his assistants. Also, finding a capable quarterback will be the Saints’ top priority.

The sources that told Duncan this also noted that Carmichael requested the transition and declined an opportunity to interview for the head coaching position. It’s hard to know what to make of that as an outsider, but Carmichael has had a resume that’s been screaming for someone to give him a shot as a head coach for several seasons now. Ex-Jaguars HC Doug Marrone and ex-Jets OC John Morton are being considered as additions to the Saints offensive staff under new HC Dennis Allen.

It’s amazing it’s taken this long for Carmichael to get a look, especially with teams wanting offensive-minded head coaches. Carmichael, 47, has been in New Orleans with coach Sean Payton for the last 13 years, graduating from QBs coach to OC back in 2009. Carmichael has worked under both Payton and longtime Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer. He doesn’t call the plays in New Orleans, but Carmichael has long been learning the lay of the land under Payton.