Saints complete interview with Eagles’ Jemal Singleton for OC position

By Ross Jackson

NEW ORLEANS, La. – The search for offensive coordinator is nearing its end for the New Orleans Saints with a big interview completed.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Saints completed an interview with Philadelphia Eagles assistant head coach and running backs coach Jemal Singleton for their open offensive coordinator position.

Singleton was integral to the success of the run game in Philadelphia and is considered a large part of their success from the coaching staff perspective. Saquon Barkley is a generational running back, without question, but it is clear that the pairing of Saints head coach Kellen Moore and offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland in Philadelphia brought out the best in Barkley, leading to a season in which he surpassed 2,000 rushing yards.

If the Saints are intent on looking to replicate the Eagles’ run-heavy approach, the addition of Singleton as the offensive coordinator, while Moore calls plays would be a great place to start.

While the Eagles quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier has been considered the favorite to land the offensive coordinator position for some time now, the addition of Singleton in the running is an intriguing wrinkle.

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said that he would not allow lateral moves from the Philadelphia coaching staff to New Orleans. This move, however, would be a promotion that even Sirianni could not halt. 

The interview also makes the Saints compliant with the NFL’s Rooney Rule for the position. That means that if Singleton, Nussmeier, or Miami Dolphins wide receivers coach Robert Prince (another candidate familiar with Moore) are set to land the position, the hire can take place at any time moving ahead.