Report: Saints Request Permission to Interview Shane Waldron

A closer look at the latest Saints interview request for their offensive coordinator role.

NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reports on Wednesday that the New Orleans Saints have requested permission to interview Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron for their vacant offensive coordinator position.

Waldron is the third interview request that the Saints have made this week. Earlier on Wednesday, they also put in requests to interview Cincinnati Bengals QB coach Dan Pitcher and Los Angeles Rams QB coach Zac Robinson. No official interviews have yet taken place.

New Orleans moved on from longtime offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael on Tuesday. They also terminated the contracts of WR coach Kodi Burns and senior offensive assistant Bob Bicknell. 

Waldron, 44, has been Seattle's offensive coordinator for the last three seasons. The Seahawks parted ways with head coach Pete Carroll last week after a 9-8 finish to the regular season. 

Aug 21, 2020; Los Angeles Rams pass game coordinator Shane Waldron gestures during training camp at Cal Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Prior to joining the Seahawks, Waldron was the passing game coordinator for four years on Sean McVay's staff with the Los Angeles Rams. Robinson is currently on McVay's staff. Pitcher is an assistant under Zac Taylor in Cincinnati. Taylor was an offensive assistant under McVay in Los Angeles in 2017 and 2018.

Under Waldron, Seattle ranked 17th in points scored and 21st in total offense last season. The Seahawks traded QB Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos during the 2022 offseason. Following that trade, Waldron helped oversee the revitalization of journeyman QB Geno Smith's career. In 2022, Smith was the NFL Comeback Player of the Year and earned his first Pro Bowl. 

The Saints finished 9-8 in 2023, missing the playoffs for a third straight year. New Orleans ranked ninth in points scored (23.6/game) and 14th in total offense in 2023. Derek Carr started all 17 games at quarterback, completing 68.4% of his throws for 3,878 yards with 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions. New Orleans also returns dynamic offensive playmakers like RB Alvin Kamara and WRs Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed.