NEW ORLEANS — Kellen Moore, who recently led the Philadelphia Eagles’ offense to a Super Bowl victory, has accepted the role of head coach for the New Orleans Saints.
At just 36 years of age, Moore faces the challenge of revitalizing a Saints franchise that has struggled since the retirement of star quarterback Drew Brees and the exit of celebrated coach Sean Payton. The Saints have not participated in the playoffs since the 2020 season, which marked Brees’ final year in the league.
Interest in Moore grew as the Saints took their time in hiring a new coach, making them the last NFL team to fill their coaching vacancy this year.
Moore was unique among assistant coaches from the Super Bowl teams, as he was the sole candidate interviewed by New Orleans and was under league rules barred from being hired until after the championship game concluded. The Saints formally announced their agreement with Moore on Tuesday.
The decision to bring in Moore aligns with trends among various NFL teams who have seen success by appointing young offensive-minded coaches. Notable examples include Sean McVay with the Los Angeles Rams, Matt LaFleur with the Green Bay Packers, Mike McDaniel with the Miami Dolphins, and Kevin O’Connell with the Minnesota Vikings. All of these coaches were appointed during their thirties.
Moore was a standout quarterback at Boise State before spending six seasons in the NFL mainly as a backup or practice squad QB with the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys. His playing time in the regular season was limited to three games, all with the Cowboys in 2015.
He entered the coaching field in 2018 as a quarterbacks coach, quickly rising to offensive coordinator the following year. In 2023, he joined the Los Angeles Chargers before moving to Philadelphia the next year.
Initially favoring pass-heavy strategies, Moore adapted his approach while with the Eagles. Recognizing Philadelphia’s capabilities as a strong running team – bolstered by a powerful offensive line, star running back Saquon Barkley, and agile quarterback Jalen Hurts – he effectively managed the second-ranked rushing offense in the NFL for the 2024 season.
The Eagles accumulated a record 3,048 rushing yards, with Barkley contributing an impressive 2,005 yards, along with another 499 yards in four playoff games. During the Super Bowl, when the Chiefs limited Barkley to just 57 yards on the ground, Moore successfully called for pivotal passing plays that led to touchdown receptions by DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown.
Now, Moore will take charge of an offense featuring key players like the versatile running back Alvin Kamara and promising receiver Chris Olave.
While in New Orleans for the recent Super Bowl, Moore expressed his philosophy on play-calling, emphasizing the importance of adapting strategies to suit the strengths of his players. “You have certain coaching philosophies you feel strong about, but I believe it’s essential to play to your players’ strengths,” Moore stated, reflecting on his varied experiences from Dallas to Los Angeles to Philadelphia.
Derek Carr, the Saints’ quarterback, is in the final two years of his contract, but his future with the team remains uncertain following two straight non-playoff seasons.
Moore will be the Saints’ second head coach following Payton’s brief retirement after the 2021 season, in which New Orleans finished with a 9-7 record, narrowly missing a playoff slot. This marked the beginning of an ongoing four-year period without postseason appearances.
Dennis Allen, Payton’s former defensive coordinator, took over in 2021 but struggled with a record of 18-25 over 2.5 seasons, ultimately being dismissed after a seven-game losing streak.
Darren Rizzi, the special teams coordinator under both Payton and Allen, stepped in as interim coach and finished with a 3-5 record. He expressed a desire to remain with the team and interviewed for the permanent position after the season.
In addition to Rizzi, the Saints sought candidates from various backgrounds, interviewing Miami’s Anthony Weaver, New York’s Mike Kafka, Detroit’s Aaron Glenn, and Buffalo’s Joe Brady. Although Mike McCarthy – former head coach of Dallas and Green Bay – was expected to be a candidate, he withdrew just days before Brady also exited the coaching search.
