The list of names being linked to the league’s newest head coaching vacancy continues to grow. The Saints have already completed an interview with former Eagles head coach Doug Pederson, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Rapoport notes that the interview took place on Sunday, making Pederson the fifth candidate whose name has been attached to New Orleans.
The 54-year-old has already been listed as a candidate for the jobs in Chicago, Denver, Minnesota and Jacksonville. While the level of interest on each side has differed in all four of those cases – the first two on that list have already hired their new coaches, and Pederson doesn’t appear to be a finalist for the other two openings – the buzz he is generating is certainly notable.
After being fired by the Eagles last year, Pederson was out of the NFL in 2021. There is certainly an interest around the league for the Super Bowl LII champion, though, including from the Saints, who are in catch-up mode relative to the other HC-needy teams.
In a related tweet, Rapoport details the schedule for the other Saints’ interviewees this week. The plan is, apparently, to meet with each of Brian Flores, Aaron Glenn and Dennis Allen in that order. The only exclusion from that list is Byron Leftwich, whom the team has put in an interview request for.
Here’s an updated look at the Saints’ coaching search:
- Dennis Allen, defensive coordinator (Saints): To interview 2/2 or 2/3
- Brian Flores, former head coach (Dolphins): To interview 2/1
- Aaron Glenn, defensive coordinator (Lions): To interview 2/2
- Byron Leftwich, offensive coordinator (Buccaneers): Interview requested
- Doug Pederson, former head coach (Eagles): Interviewed 1/30
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