Saints latest coaching hire is exactly what the offense needs to improve

Entering the offseason, there was a belief that New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen could lose his job, or that the team would move on from quarterback Derek Carr after one season. However, both Allen and Carr are set to return for next season. The Saints did decide to make some major changes to the offensive staff, though.

Moving on from longtime offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr., New Orleans recently hired Klint Kubiak as offensive coordinator. Since that move became official, Kubiak has been at work building out his offensive staff. One hire that should excite fans is Rick Dennison, who the Saints are hiring as a run game coordinator.

Saints hire Rick Dennison as run game coordinator

Dennison played in the NFL as a linebacker for the Denver Broncos from 1982 to 1990. He started his coaching career in 1995, also with the Broncos, and has won three Super Bowls as a coach, all with Denver. Most recently, he was a senior advisor for the Minnesota Vikings in 2021, the season that Klint Kubiak was the offensive coordinator for the Vikings. Dennison also worked with Klint’s father Gary Kubiak.

The thing that should be most exciting for the Saints is Dennison’s reputation for developing offensive linemen, as Jordan Schultz pointed out. New Orleans’ line wasn’t bad but it can certainly be a whole lot better, especially in the run game. In 2023, the Saints only rushed for 102.5 yards a game— 21st in the NFL. Alvin Kamara had the second-worst yards per carry of his career, averaging just 3.9. That had more to do with the offense than it did him.

With Dennison now working with the unit, as well as Klint Kubiak, the offensive line should improve and so should the scheme. This will allow the Saints to have a better rushing attack, making them better in the red zone, and generally a more consistent offense. That should all lead to more wins.

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