The announcement came following two turbulent seasons on the offensive side of the ball since the departure of head coach Sean Payton.

Now, the focus for General Manager Mickey Loomis will be finding a suitable replacement for Carmichael who can bring more success to the team's talented offensive playmakers. Here are eight potential candidates for the vacant offensive coordinator position:

1. Jerrod Johnson - Houston Texans, Quarterbacks Coach: In his first year as the quarterbacks coach for the Houston Texans, Johnson played a vital role in developing rookie QB CJ Stroud and leading the team to a playoff victory. With his creative approach to the passing game, Johnson could bring some much-needed excitement to the Saints' offense.

2. Klint Kubiak - San Francisco 49ers, Passing Game Coordinator: Kubiak is a strong contender to be the next coordinator from the Kyle Shanahan coaching lineage. He previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings in 2021 and has gained valuable experience during his time with the 49ers. Kubiak has already interviewed for the Chicago Bears offensive coordinator job.

3. Joe Bleymaier - Kansas City Chiefs, Passing Game Coordinator: Representing the esteemed Andy Reid coaching tree, Bleymaier has worked his way up from an offensive analyst to the passing game coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs. He has been praised for his innovation and creativity by Reid and is a sought-after candidate across the league.

4. Ronald Curry - New Orleans Saints, Passing Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach: The only internal candidate on the list, Curry has been a beloved assistant coach for the Saints since 2016. Known for his energy and positive influence, Curry has the potential to maintain continuity within the organization if the Saints decide to keep the hire in-house.

5. Tanner Engstrand - Detroit Lions, Passing Game Coordinator: Engstrand has played a crucial role as the right-hand man to Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Under Johnson's guidance, the Lions' offense has thrived, and Engstrand's contributions are undeniable. He deserves consideration for a promotion and has a track record of making quarterbacks shine.

6. Zac Robinson - Los Angeles Rams, Passing Game Coordinator: Zac Robinson's involvement in Sean McVay's highly successful offense makes him an attractive candidate for the Saints. With his rounded understanding of the game and his rapport with McVay, Robinson could inject some McVay Magic into the Saints' offensive scheme.

7. Brian Hartline - Ohio State, Offensive Coordinator and Wide Receivers Coach: Hartline, hailing from Ohio State University, is one of the top offensive coordinators in the Big Ten. The Saints could benefit from his expertise and potentially reuniting him with former Ohio State receiver Chris Olave.

8. Greg Olson - Seattle Seahawks, Quarterbacks Coach: With experience coaching for multiple NFL teams, including his recent role as the offensive coordinator for Derek Carr's Raiders, Olson brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. His stints under both McVay and head coach Jon Gruden have enriched his coaching repertoire.

While these eight candidates have emerged as potential replacements for Pete Carmichael, other notable names such as Eric Bieniemy, Joe Brady, John Gruden, Jay Gruden, and Kliff Kingsbury should also not be overlooked.

The search for the Saints' new offensive coordinator is now in full swing as the organization aims to revitalize their offense and maximize the talents of their playmakers.