New York Giants interviewed Joel Thomas for running back coaching job

The New York Giants continued their search for coordinators and assistant coaches on Saturday, this time focusing their attention on the offensive side of the ball.

While the NFL playoff slate kicked off, the Giants hosted New Orleans Saints running back Joel Thomas for an interview.

#Saints RBs coach Joel Thomas is interviewing today for the vacant #Giants RB coach job, source said. New Orleans gave permission for the interview, not wanting to hold a coach back.

Former NYG RBs coach Jeff Nixon left for Syracuse.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 13, 2024

The Giants are again in the market for a running backs coach after Jeff Nixon departed to take over the offense at Syracuse. Their next hire will be their fourth in four years.

By contrast, Thomas has been the Saints’ running backs coach since 2015, overseeing the likes of Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram. Prior to his time in The Big Easy, Thomas spent 13 years coaching at the college level, including a stint as Washington’s co-head coach (offense).

If hired, Thomas will take over an uncertain running back situation for the Giants. Saquon Barkley is slated to become an unrestricted free agent in March and has once again expressed a desire to avoid the franchise tag. For the first time, his future with the team is very much in doubt.