The New Orleans Saints are set to embark on a new era, with multiple sources confirming to ESPN that the team plans to hire Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore as their next head coach. The 34-year-old playcaller will take the reins in New Orleans after helping guide the Eagles’ high-powered offense to a Super Bowl appearance in his first season with the team.
From Backup QB to Head Coach
Moore’s meteoric rise through the coaching ranks has been nothing short of remarkable. After a record-setting college career at Boise State, he entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2012. Moore bounced around practice squads before landing with the Cowboys in 2015, where he saw brief action as a backup quarterback.
But it was Moore’s keen football mind that truly set him apart. He retired in 2017 to join the Cowboys’ coaching staff, quickly ascending from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator under Jason Garrett. In Dallas, Moore earned praise for his creative play designs and ability to maximize the talents of stars like Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott.
“Kellen has a brilliant offensive mind. He sees the game in a special way and knows how to put his players in positions to be successful. The Saints got a rising star.”
— Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy on Kellen Moore in 2022
Innovative Offense Catches NFL’s Attention
Moore’s offenses consistently ranked among the NFL’s best during his time in Dallas, but it was his work in Philadelphia last season that truly turned heads. Taking over for the departed Shane Steichen, Moore quickly put his stamp on the Eagles attack.
With Jalen Hurts blossoming into an MVP candidate under Moore’s tutelage, the Eagles led the league in total yards and points scored. Moore’s masterful blending of West Coast concepts and RPO elements kept defenses off balance all season long.
- Eagles Offensive Rankings Under Moore (2024):
- Yards Per Game: 1st (389.1)
- Points Per Game: 1st (28.7)
- Rushing Yards Per Game: 3rd (147.6)
- Passing Yards Per Game: 4th (241.5)
Now, the Saints are banking on Moore to bring that same innovative approach to the Big Easy. But the first-time head coach will face some significant challenges as he looks to return New Orleans to prominence.
Question Marks Surround Saints Roster
While Moore’s offensive acumen is unquestioned, he’ll have his work cut out for him with a Saints roster in flux. The team’s most pressing issue is at quarterback, where veteran Derek Carr is coming off a disappointing debut season in black and gold.
Carr, acquired in a 2024 trade with the Raiders, struggled to find consistency in Dennis Allen’s system. He finished with just 19 touchdowns against 14 interceptions as the Saints limped to a 5-12 record. With a $50 million cap hit looming in 2025, Moore and Saints brass must decide if the 34-year-old is still the answer under center.
Compounding matters is an aging defense that ranked near the bottom of the league in most major categories last season. While the Saints still have star power in Cameron Jordan and Demario Davis, both are on the wrong side of 30 with no clear successors in place.
“The defense has been the Saints’ backbone for years, but it’s starting to show some cracks. They need an infusion of young talent, especially up front.”
— NFL Analyst Mike Tannenbaum
Saints Draft Needs Hint at Rebuild
Addressing those deficiencies will likely start with the draft, where the Saints hold the No. 9 overall pick. Many experts expect New Orleans to target an edge rusher or defensive tackle with their first selection to breathe life back into a once-dominant front seven.
On offense, bolstering the interior line and adding playmakers should be priorities. If Moore is going to replicate the success he had with mobile, dual-threat quarterbacks like Hurts and Prescott, finding a long-term answer at the position could also be in the cards.
- Potential Saints draft targets:
- EDGE Mykel Williams, Georgia
- DT Bryan Bresee, Clemson
- TE Tyler Warren, Penn State
- WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
- QB Bo Nix, Oregon
Of course, navigating those roster deficiencies is just part of the challenge that awaits Moore in New Orleans. He’ll also be tasked with putting his own stamp on the organization and building a cohesive coaching staff after the departure of Allen and many of his assistants.
The Bottom Line
Still, there’s plenty of reason for optimism in the Big Easy. In Moore, the Saints are getting one of the brightest young offensive minds in the game — a coach with a track record of maximizing talent and pushing the envelope schematically.
His relative youth and energy should be a welcome change for a Saints squad that looked increasingly stagnant under Allen’s watch. And with a passionate fanbase and winning tradition already in place, the pieces are there for Moore to orchestrate a quick turnaround.
“I think he’s going to be a star. He’s got that ‘it’ factor you look for in a head coach. There will be some growing pains, but the Saints got a special one in Kellen.”
— Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells
Only time will tell if Moore is the man to lead the Saints back to the promised land. But one thing is certain: the Kellen Moore era will be anything but boring in New Orleans.
