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JACKSON: Saints reported interest in Kingsbury could signal change at QB

Jan 8, 2025 | 7:18 PM

By Ross Jackson

NEW ORLEANS — For the third time this offseason, a refuted report has surfaced around the New Orleans Saints head coaching search. 

First it was Denver Broncos senior executive David Shaw, then it was a report around another Broncos staff member, quarterback coach Davis Webb. 

The most recent was a report centered around Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingbury. NFL Insider Josina Anderson reported that the Saints and Chicago Bears had formally requested to interview the offensive coordinator. 

Anderson’s report was contradicted by NOLA.com’s Matt Paras, who previously covered the Commanders himself. But there’s one glaring piece of language included in Paras’ report.

The phrase “at this time” is important here. The conflicting reports could eventually find their common ground should the Saints eventually request Kingsbury for an interview. If they did, it would make a lot of sense, but would bring about one big question.

What are the Saints looking to do at quarterback if Kingbury was the hire?

A quick look at the quarterbacks with which the Commanders offensive play callers has had success reveals an easy-to-spot trend: dynamic play.

From Johnny Manziel with Texas A&M, Patrick Mahomes at Texas Tech and Caleb Williams at USC in college to Kyler Murray as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals and now LSU Tigers star Jayden Daniels with the Commanders, Kingsbury has worked with some dynamic and athletic playmaking quarterbacks.

Even the most staunch supporters of Saints quarterback Derek Carr would admit that he’s a very different type of passer than those Kingsbury has found success with in the past.

A potential interview of Kingsbury won’t say much about the Saints’ willingness to change quarterbacks, as each candidate would present a different plan. Some might want to move to their own hand-picked option, others might like one of the young signal callers on the roster. Others would be happy to have a veteran like Carr to start things off in their coaching tenure. But it’s hard to see Kingsbury being among the final group.

So while a potential interview with Kingsbury wouldn’t signal much, if the team were to hire him, the potential for a departure for Carr would certainly carry some credence. 

Update: Wednesday, Jan. 9 at 6:06 a.m.

Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Saints have now submitted a request to interview Kingsbury. New Orleans is indeed submitting alongside the Bears.