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The man who ran the Saints’ offense without Sean Payton in the building this year could get a chance to run the offense — and the rest of the team — in Chicago in 2013.

Per a league source, Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, Jr. currently is interviewing for the vacancy created when the Bears fired coach Lovie Smith after his ninth year on the job.

Carmichael, 41, joined the Saints in 2006. He previously worked for the Chargers, Redskins, and Browns after six seasons at the college level.

The Bears are expected to hire a coach with an offensive background, given the recent struggles on that side of the ball. Of course, it helps that Carmichael has had Drew Brees playing quarterback.