Pete Carmichael is heading north - and reuniting with a familiar face.
The longtime New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator is joining the Buffalo Bills as their new OC, according to reports. He’ll be working under Joe Brady, who’s set to retain play-calling duties. The two have history: back in 2017 and 2018, they were on the same Saints staff, with Carmichael running the offense and Brady cutting his teeth as an offensive assistant.
This move marks a fresh chapter for Carmichael, but the role is anything but unfamiliar. He spent nearly two decades in New Orleans, arriving in 2006 as the quarterbacks coach on Sean Payton’s inaugural staff. By 2009, he was promoted to offensive coordinator - a title he held all the way through the 2023 season.
During that stretch, Carmichael was more than just a play designer - he was Payton’s trusted lieutenant, helping craft one of the NFL’s most consistent and creative offenses. With Drew Brees under center, the Saints were a perennial top-tier unit, known for their precision, timing, and ability to adapt week to week.
But things changed after Payton stepped away following the 2021 season. Carmichael stayed on, this time with full play-calling responsibilities.
The results, however, didn’t quite match the past. Over the next two seasons, the Saints offense struggled to find its identity, and after a 9-8 finish in 2023 that left New Orleans outside the playoff picture, the team decided to part ways.
Now, Carmichael gets a chance to reset in Buffalo, where he’ll bring a wealth of experience to a staff that’s still molding its identity under Brady. While Brady will be calling the plays, having someone like Carmichael in the room - a coach who’s seen just about everything an NFL defense can throw at you - adds serious value.
For Buffalo, this is more than a reunion - it’s a strategic hire. Brady and Carmichael share a common offensive language, forged during their time in New Orleans. That familiarity could accelerate the development of a Bills offense looking to stay explosive and evolve around its franchise quarterback.
Carmichael may not be the one with the headset on game day, but his fingerprints will be all over what Buffalo builds in 2024. And for a team with championship aspirations, that kind of experience in the building could make all the difference.