As the New Orleans Saints look to chart their course forward after parting ways with head coach Dennis Allen, the team is leaving no stone unturned in their search for a new leader. Recently, the Saints announced that they had completed an interview with Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator **Shane Steichen**, a rising star in the coaching world, for their vacant head coaching position.
Steichen, who has overseen one of the NFL’s most dynamic offenses in Philadelphia, is considered one of the hottest head coaching candidates in 2024. His innovative offensive schemes and track record of developing young quarterbacks have earned him significant recognition. With the Saints looking to revitalize their offense and make a run at the NFC South division, Steichen’s potential hire could have a profound impact on the team’s future.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at who Shane Steichen is, what he brings to the table, why the Saints are interested in him, and what his hiring could mean for the organization going forward.
### Who is Shane Steichen?
Shane Steichen is no stranger to success in the NFL, especially when it comes to developing explosive, high-powered offenses. His journey through the NFL ranks has been marked by his ability to adapt, innovate, and get the best out of his players. Prior to becoming the offensive coordinator for the Eagles in 2021, Steichen spent time with several NFL teams, including the Los Angeles Chargers, where he served as the offensive coordinator for the 2020 season.
Steichen’s greatest claim to fame came in 2022, when he helped guide the Eagles to an NFC Championship and Super Bowl appearance, alongside quarterback Jalen Hurts. Steichen was instrumental in the development of Hurts, who emerged as an MVP candidate in his third year in the league. The Eagles’ offense under Steichen was one of the most balanced in the league, combining a dynamic passing attack with an elite ground game led by Hurts and running back Miles Sanders.
What has set Steichen apart from other offensive minds in the NFL is his ability to cater his offense to his quarterback’s strengths. Under Steichen’s guidance, Jalen Hurts blossomed into one of the most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks in the NFL, a player capable of making plays with both his arm and his legs. This adaptability and commitment to player development have made Steichen one of the most sought-after coaching candidates in 2024.
### Why the Saints are Interested in Shane Steichen
The New Orleans Saints find themselves at a crossroads. Despite having a solid defense and a talented roster, the Saints have struggled to consistently produce on offense since Drew Brees’ retirement. While head coach Dennis Allen’s defensive prowess has been a staple of the team’s identity, the Saints have underachieved offensively, with inconsistent quarterback play, injuries, and a lack of a clear offensive identity.
With veteran quarterback **Derek Carr** now under contract and the team’s championship window still open, the Saints need to find a head coach who can inject life into the offense, develop Carr into a more effective leader, and maximize the potential of their playmakers. This is where Steichen could come in.
Steichen is the type of coach who could bring fresh ideas and a modern approach to a Saints offense that has been bogged down by traditional schemes. His ability to craft game plans that cater to a quarterback’s strengths—while also keeping opposing defenses off balance—aligns well with the Saints’ need for offensive innovation. The team’s offense is stocked with talent, including playmakers like wide receiver **Chris Olave**, running back **Alvin Kamara**, and tight end **Juwan Johnson**, but they have yet to fully realize their potential. Steichen’s experience with young quarterbacks and his creative offensive mind could be exactly what the Saints need to take the next step.
Another reason Steichen fits the Saints’ needs is his understanding of the balance between run and pass. The Saints have a solid offensive line, and they’ve historically been a team that can run the ball effectively. Steichen’s offense with the Eagles featured a dynamic run game, highlighted by Hurts’ ability to read defenses and make plays with his legs. If Steichen were to join the Saints, he could help them find ways to be more creative in both their running and passing attacks, maximizing the strengths of the offensive line and the skill position players.
### What Shane Steichen Could Bring to the Saints
If Shane Steichen is hired by the New Orleans Saints, his influence would be immediately felt across several facets of the team’s offense.
#### **1. Quarterback Development**
One of Steichen’s most notable traits is his ability to develop young quarterbacks. He played a significant role in the development of Jalen Hurts, a player who entered the league with questions about his throwing accuracy and decision-making. Under Steichen, Hurts blossomed into a highly-efficient, dual-threat quarterback who became a focal point of the Eagles’ success.
For the Saints, this would be a game-changer. Although Derek Carr is an established NFL starter, he has faced criticism for his inconsistency and inability to elevate his team in high-pressure situations. Steichen’s ability to adapt his offense around Carr’s strengths, while also helping him improve in key areas like reading defenses and making quicker decisions, could unlock a higher level of performance from the veteran quarterback. Carr, who has experienced both highs and lows throughout his career, would benefit greatly from Steichen’s quarterback development skills and offensive ingenuity.
#### **2. Offensive Innovation**
Steichen’s offenses are known for being creative and unpredictable. With the Eagles, he was able to blend a potent passing attack with a dynamic running game, often using Jalen Hurts’ mobility to create mismatches for opposing defenses. The Saints could benefit from Steichen’s ability to think outside the box and incorporate modern concepts like motion, play-action, and up-tempo pace into their offense.
The Saints have a talented group of skill position players, and Steichen would be able to craft schemes that highlight their strengths. **Chris Olave**, in particular, has shown the potential to be a star receiver, and Steichen could work to get him in situations where he can create big plays down the field. Similarly, **Alvin Kamara**, one of the league’s most versatile running backs, would thrive in an offense that incorporates both passing and running threats in a balanced attack.
#### **3. Offensive Line and Running Game**
While the Saints’ offensive line has been a strong unit in recent years, Steichen’s offensive philosophy could further maximize their potential. Steichen is known for creating balanced offenses that feature an effective running game, and his background with the Eagles’ offensive line—one of the best in the league—would allow him to make the most of the Saints’ front five. His ability to build plays around a strong offensive line and incorporate mobile quarterbacks or running backs would allow the Saints to control the line of scrimmage, set up play-action, and move the ball efficiently.
The Saints’ run game, led by Kamara, could become a much more dangerous threat under Steichen’s guidance, especially with his ability to devise creative schemes that use misdirection, power runs, and zone-blocking concepts.
### The Bigger Picture: Steichen’s Fit with the Saints
Shane Steichen’s potential hiring by the New Orleans Saints would represent a bold step in a new direction for the team. The Saints have a veteran roster and are looking for a head coach who can help them make the most of their championship window. Steichen brings a fresh perspective and an offensive-focused approach that would complement the Saints’ strong defensive core.
For the Saints, hiring Steichen could be the key to rejuvenating their offense and achieving consistent success in the NFC South. With a quarterback like Derek Carr, a dynamic group of playmakers, and a solid offensive line, Steichen’s offensive schemes could push the Saints to new heights and make them a legitimate contender in the NFC.
However, there are questions about Steichen’s ability to succeed with a veteran roster compared to his work with a young quarterback in Jalen Hurts. He’ll need to prove that his ability to develop a young signal caller can translate into success with a veteran like Carr.
### Conclusion: A Promising Future for the Saints?
The completion of the interview with Shane Steichen marks an important moment in the Saints’ head coaching search. As one of the brightest young offensive minds in the NFL, Steichen could be the coach that helps the Saints unlock their potential and contend for championships in the coming years. His ability to develop quarterbacks, run innovative offenses, and maximize his players’ strengths makes him a highly attractive candidate for the Saints, who need a fresh offensive identity.
Whether Steichen ultimately takes the job or not, it’s clear that the Saints are committed to bringing in a head coach who can elevate their offense, and Steichen’s experience and success in Philadelphia make him one of the top candidates to do just that. As the Saints continue their search, fans are excited to see what the future holds for their team, and Steichen could very well be the catalyst for a new era of success in New Orleans.