Broncos Add Two More Former Saints to Staff
Photo Credit: Jonathan Bachman, Getty Images
The Denver Broncos made two additions to their coaching staff this week, and both names have strong ties with Head Coach Sean Payton dating back to their New Orleans days. Pete Carmichael, the Saints offensive coordinator for 15 years, will be joining the Broncos as a senior offensive assistant, while Cody Rager, who was the Saints assistant college scouting director, is coming aboard as the VP of Player Personnel.
These moves don’t come as a surprise, as Sean Payton has shown during his time as the head coach of the Broncos that he is going to add pieces that he has spent time with previously and trusts. Multiple Broncos coaches such as Joe Lombardi and players such as Michael Burton were a part of Payton’s Saints. Adding Carmichael to the offensive staff may seem like a non-factor because he’s coming on as an offensive assistant, but the experience he brings is very valuable. This reunites the trio that had so much offensive success in New Orleans throughout the 2010s with Drew Brees at the helm of the offense.
However, this Broncos team does not have Drew Brees taking snaps, and have a very large question mark looming over the team at the quarterback position heading into offseason. There are many directions the Broncos can go to fit their needs, and Sean Payton hasn’t shown his hands yet as to what he truly wants for 2024.
From 2016-2020, the latest stretch when all three were on the same sideline together, the Saints offense ranked top five in points scored every year (2nd in 2016), top 10 in total yards in four out of the five years (1st in 2016), and had a margin of victory of at least 7.3 points per game in four of the five seasons (9.4 in 2018). This offense was one quarter away from making the Super Bowl, so if they can find the correct pieces, the Broncos will be set up for lots of success.
For Rager, he will shift from being involved with solely college personnel and be involved with pro personnel for Denver as well. Rager’s scouting experience will be an asset to General Manager George Paton, especially leading up to the draft. The importance of the 2024 draft for Denver is unquestionable, especially given that they have a first-round pick for the first time since 2021. During his tenure, Paton’s draft classes the past two years have been poor outside of Marvin Mims Jr. and Nik Bonitto.
The Broncos focus now shifts to free agency, where they could possibly eye more former Saints to add to the roster. A name that has been brought up is Jameis Winston, who spent 2023 as the backup quarterback for New Orleans but has shown he can be a starter in this league in the past.
