NEW ORLEANS — Kellen Moore, the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, found himself in the spotlight as reporters from New Orleans gathered around him, eager to discuss his potential future with the Saints. With the Saints being the last remaining team searching for a head coach, many are eyeing Moore as a leading candidate, especially since he is currently unavailable for hire while the Eagles compete in the Super Bowl this coming Sunday.
Reflecting on his recent discussions with Saints general manager Mickey Loomis and the team’s leadership in Philadelphia, Moore described the experience as constructive. “It’s obviously been a good process,” he remarked, noting that it allows him to concentrate on the upcoming game while uncertainties about his future linger.
Positioned on a stool in the Superdome where the Saints typically play, Moore skillfully sidestepped inquiries about envisioning himself coaching the Saints in the fall, emphasizing that his “pure focus” remains solely on the Super Bowl matchup against the reigning champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. He reiterated that his single concern is delivering a strong performance in this significant game.
Moore, who once served as a backup quarterback behind Dak Prescott in Dallas before stepping into a coaching role, has led an Eagles offense this season that witnessed Saquon Barkley becoming the ninth running back in NFL history to achieve the milestone of 2,000 rushing yards. Under his guidance, the Eagles finished the regular season with the eighth-best offensive performance in the league, accumulating an average of 367.2 yards per game. Most of their offensive success came from rushing, where they ranked second with an average of 179.3 yards per game, in contrast to their passing offense, which sat at 29th with 187.9 yards per game.
“You build around your players,” Moore stated, commenting on the varied styles of play he has employed throughout his coaching career. He acknowledged the importance of adapting strategies to showcase the strengths of the players while creating opportunities for them to succeed.
Should Moore secure the head coach position in New Orleans, he would inherit an offense featuring the explosive running back Alvin Kamara and potentially quarterback Derek Carr. Moore expressed admiration for Carr’s career accomplishments, noting their previous collegiate rivalry, when Moore represented Boise State and Carr played for Fresno State. “I have tons of respect for him as a quarterback in this league,” he said, recognizing Carr’s significant contributions.
Although Moore does not have deep roots in New Orleans, he has formed a connection with the Manning family through his involvement with the Manning Passing Academy in Thibodaux, Louisiana, an experience he described as “awesome.”
When the opportunity arises for him to become a head coach, Moore anticipates continuing with play-calling duties, which he considers one of his great passions. “You hate to stop doing what you love as you go through this journey,” he remarked.
Eagles players were not surprised to see Moore’s name on the Saints’ shortlist. Offensive tackle Jordan Mailata humorously quipped, “He’s the worst coordinator I’ve ever had,” as a tongue-in-cheek attempt to dissuade the Saints from hiring him. However, he quickly followed up with genuine praise, stating, “Kellen’s been the best. He’s done a great job setting up plays, explaining the schemes, and the whys behind certain motions and formations. It’s a magical thing. It’s no wonder why he’s a finalist to be a head coach here.”
