Former Vikings WR Interviews with Saints for Offensive Coordinator Role

Dec 6, 2009; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Greg Lewis against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Vikings 30-17. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Over the years, the Minnesota Vikings have had a number of memorable touchdown receptions.

Randy Moss’ “moon” celebration against the Packers or Stefon Diggs’ Minneapolis Miracle come to mind, but another memorable catch came from former Vikings WR Greg Lewis against the San Francisco 49ers in 2009. If you need a refresher, take a look at the clip down below:

That throw and catch jumpstarted a magical season for the Vikings that, of course, would end in heartbreaking fashion in the NFC Championship Game against the New Orleans Saints. Since his NFL career came to an end, Lewis has held various coaching roles around the league, and most recently, Lewis received an interview with the Saints for their offensive coordinator role.

Former Vikings WR Interviews with Saints

Former Vikings LB Signs with Saints
Oct 20, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a New Orleans Saints helmet at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported the interview on Tuesday morning, tweeting, “#Ravens WRs coach Greg Lewis will interview today for the #Saints offensive coordinator job, per source. Lewis, the former NFL receiver, won two Super Bowls on Andy Reid’s staff in Kansas City before joining Baltimore this past season.”

The Saints recently fired their longtime offensive coordinator, Pete Carmichael, after 15 seasons with the team from 2009-2023. While New Orleans captured a Super Bowl victory in his first season with the team and enjoyed over a decade of offensive success with Carmichael on the staff, the Saints have seen some subpar production on that side of the ball since Sean Payton left the team.

During the 2023 season, New Orleans ranked 14th in the NFL in terms of EPA/play and finished the season 9-8, narrowly missing out on the playoffs.

Nov 5, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes the ball against the Chicago Bears during the second half at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Lewis joins former Vikings QB coach Jerrod Johnson as a candidate for the Saints OC job. The former NFL wide receiver spent the 2009 and 2010 seasons with the Vikings, totaling 25 catches for 293 yards and that buzzer-beating touchdown against the Niners.

In total, Lewis spent eight years as a receiver, catching 152 passes for 1992 yards and eight touchdowns. He began his coaching career as an intern with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2012, and he actually was an assistant with the Saints under Sean Payton during the 2015 season.

Since then, he has also coached with the Kansas City Chiefs where he won two Super Bowls in 2019 and 2022 before joining the Ravens in 2023 as their wide receivers coach.

Former Vikings WR
Nov 21, 2010; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Greg Lewis (17) gets past Packers safety Nick Collins (36) in the first quarter at the Metrodome. The Packers win 31-3. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

If hired, Lewis will be tasked with leading QB Derek Carr and the rest of the Saints offense as they try to win their first NFC South title since the 2020 season.

Lewis will turn 44 years old in February.

Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Reference.

Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken

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