Report: Saints Look to Have an Eye on ”Top Candidate” at Offensive Line Coach After Firing Doug Marrone

Longtime NFL coach John Benton is reportedly a top option to replace Doug Marrone as offensive line coach.

A new offensive line coach will take the sideline for the New Orleans Saints in 2024. After moving on from Doug Marrone, who held the position for the last two season in New Orleans, the team looks to already have a keen eye on his replacement.

Per NOLA.com’s Luke Johnson, longtime NFL coach John Benton is considered a top candidate for the role. Benton has some sizable connections with Klay Kubiak, who is expected to become the Saints’ offensive coordinator following this weekend’s Super Bowl. 

John Benton and New York Jets quarterback Zack Wilson during a practice in London / Oct 8, 2021; Ware, England, United Kingdom; New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) and offensive line coach John Benton during a practice at the Manor Marriott Hotel and Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Those connections began with working eight seasons with Klint Kubiak's father, Gary Kubiak as the offensive line coach with the Houston Texans. Benton also spent a total of six  seasons with San Francisco 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan between Houston (2008, 2009) and San Francisco (2017 - 2020).

Beyond that, Benton followed Mike LaFleur from that same San Francisco staff to the New York Jets when LaFleur was hired as their offensive coordinator. That gives Benton extensive experience in the combination of systems the younger Kubiak would likely bring to New Orleans. 

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Benton coached offensive tackle Joe Staley to a Pro Bowl nod in 2017 and in 2020 sent tackle Trent Williams there as well. While his time with the then-St. Louis Rams led to some high sack numbers, his offensive lines in Houston from 2006 through 2013 held up some impressive rankings allowing more than 33 sacks in a season just twice. He coached good performances in San Francisco during the 2019, 2020 and 2021 seasons as well.

As for the run game, it was a roller coaster in Houston. With top-ten and sometimes top-three finishes in rushing yards from 2010 to 2012, but also bottom-ten finishes in other seasons. While in San Francisco, the 49ers ranked No. 2 in rushing yards in 2019 and No. 7 in 2021. His Jets offensive line, where he was also run game coordinator, was not as successful. The Jets ended No. 25 in rushing yards and and finished No. 14 in most sacks allowed with 42 that year.

While Benton may be a top candidate in, there are other options to consider for Kubiak and the Saints. The 49ers currently have two assistant offensive line coaches, in James Cregg and Joe Graves who could potentially make the trip from the Bay to the Big Easy. The Saints also have an internal candidate in Offensive Line Assistant Kevin Carberry, who was the Los Angeles Rams' offensive line coach in 2021 and 2022.