Report: Saints Request Interview With Jerrod Johnson

Saints to pursue another rising young coach for their vacant offensive coordinator position, per reports.

The New Orleans Saints have put in a request to interview Houston Texans QB coach Jerrod Johnson, per CBS NFL reporter Jonathan Jones. Presumably, Johnson will be interviewed for the Saints vacant offensive coordinator position. 

New Orleans fired longtime offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael last week. They also terminated the contracts of WR coach Kodi Burns and senior offensive assistant Bob Bicknell. The Saints finished 9-8 in 2023, missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season. Their offense ranked ninth in points scored and 14th in total yardage. 

Johnson, 35, just finished his first year as QB coach of the Houston Texans. Prior to that, he was an assistant QB coach with the Minnesota Vikings in 2022 and offensive quality control coach for the Indianapolis Colts in 2020 and 2021.

A college quarterback for Texas A&M from 2008 to 2010, Johnson finished his career as the Aggies all-time leading passer. He is currently second in school history in passing yardage and third in total offense. Not selected in the 2011 NFL Draft, Johnson saw time on the practice squad of six different NFL teams between 2011 and 2016.

Johnson was part of a Houston offensive staff that oversaw the rapid development of rookie QB C.J. Stroud, the second overall pick in last spring's draft. The Texans ranked seventh in passing production on their way to a surprising 10-7 record and an AFC South championship. 

Houston Texans coach Jerrod Johnson (left) instructs quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during practice. CREDIT: Texans Wire - USA TODAY 

C.J. Stroud completed 63.9% of his throws for 4,108 yards with 23 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He threw for over 300 yards in six of his 15 starts and helped engineer his team to a 20-13 win over the Saints in mid-October.

Stroud's average of 273.9 passing yards per game led the NFL. His interception percentage was the lowest of any quarterback in the league. Stroud's poise and overall skills will likely earn him 2023 NFL Rookie of the Year honors.

Johnson is the fourth candidate that the Saints have officially requested an interview. The others are Bengals QB coach Dan Pitcher, Rams QB coach Zac Robinson, and Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron.