As the Cleveland Browns dig out from the rubble that was their Week 8 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, which dropped them out of the AFC playoff race and put more focus on the NFL draft order, the team must turn their attention to the future. The NFL trade deadline is just over a week away, with the New Orleans Saints next up on the Browns schedule in Week 9.
The Saints are coming off a bye week, following their Week 7 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Paris, France. New Orleans is just 2-5 this
year, after an encouraging start to the season with a close loss to the Detroit Lions and a victory over the Baltimore Ravens.
The Saints run game has been among the worst in the NFL, averaging just 86.0 yards per game with a 3.5 yards per carry average. The Browns’ run defense has been a huge weakness for the team, especially versus the Steelers, which makes New Orleans’ decision to change run game coaches that much more interesting:
Paganetti’s run game last year was also among the worst in the NFL, but the Saints averaged 94.3 yards per game on the ground in 2025, with a strong drop-off this season. Paganetti was brought over with HC Kellen Moore after their shared time with the Philadelphia Eagles.
No news on who will take over New Orleans’ run game or why it took the entire bye week for the decision to be made, but Cleveland could see some new wrinkles from the Saints’ rushing attack in Week 9.
How big of an impact do you think a run game coordinator change can have on a game?
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