It’s been a busy offseaseon for the New Orleans Saints, but Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton labels the hiring of offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak as their smartest move so far. Free agency is on the front of many minds, specifically the Saints’ Chase Young signing, but Kubiak is unquestionably the biggest move of the offseason.
Here’s why Moton agrees with that sentiment:
“New Orleans hired Klint Kubiak to replace Pete Carmichael Jr., whose offense moderately improved between 2022 and 2023 but sputtered for stretches last year. The Saints’ offense finished 15th and 18th on third-down conversions and in red-zone scoring, respectively.
After a year as the San Francisco 49ers’ passing-game coordinator, Kubiak may be able to carry over some principles from the Niners’ fourth-ranked passing offense that can help elevate Derek Carr’s production.”
New Orleans’ inconsistent offense was the biggest issue on the team, so it was naturally the paramount question heading into the offseason. The Saints answered that question in the form of a new offensive coordinator. Kubiak must, at the worst, establish consistency on the offensive side of the ball. That alone elevates ceiling of the Saints in 2024.
Improvements on the offense may be more important than last season. The defense is talented and has been carrying the team since Drew Brees retired. The recipe hasn’t resulted in playoff teams. The defense is getting older at pivotal positions, and there’s questions about the younger players. A dropoff could occur at any moment.
The offense remaining stagnant limits the Saints’ ceiling as an above-average team. Chemistry between players should be an issue left in 2023. Now it’s about mastering the offense and Kubiak maximizing the talent.