NEW ORLEANS — Kellen Moore, who oversaw the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles ′ offense this season, has agreed to return to the location of his newest triumph as the subsequent coach of the New Orleans Saints, an individual accustomed to his determination instructed The Related Press.
The 36-year-old Moore would be a part of a corporation that has been floundering because the retirement of quarterback Drew Brees and departure of Tremendous Bowl-winning coach Sean Payton. The Saints haven’t made the playoffs because the 2020 season — the final of Brees’ profession.
The particular person spoke to the AP on situation of anonymity Tuesday as a result of the Saints didn’t verify the choice. (A number of different retailers, including ESPN, are reporting the transfer.) However their curiosity in Moore turned more and more evident because the membership waited longer to fill its emptiness than every other NFL crew in search of a brand new coach this yr.
Moore was the one assistant coach on both Tremendous Bowl crew to be interviewed by New Orleans and thus the one candidate who, beneath league guidelines, couldn’t be employed till after Sunday’s title sport was performed.
The Saints’ determination on Moore mirrors that of a number of groups which have discovered success after hiring comparatively younger offensive coaches. They included the Los Angeles Rams with Sean McVay, Inexperienced Bay with Matt LaFleur, Miami with Mike McDaniel and Minnesota with 2024 AP Coach of the Year Kevin O’Connell. All 4 of these coaches had been employed whereas of their 30s.
A standout faculty quarterback at Boise State, Moore had a six-year profession as a follow squad or reserve QB with Detroit (2012-2014) and Dallas (2015-2017). He performed in simply three regular-season video games, all with the Cowboys in 2015.
He moved into teaching in 2018 as a quarterbacks coach and was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2019. He left Dallas to hitch the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023 earlier than shifting to Philadelphia in 2024.
Whereas Moore tended to favor pass-heavy schemes in his early years as a coordinator, he tailored when he joined the Eagles.
Recognizing Philadelphia’s power as a working crew — with its big, physical offensive line, star running back Saquon Barkley and cellular quarterback Jalen Hurts — Moore oversaw the NFL’s second-ranked floor sport in 2024.
The Eagles rushed for a franchise-record 3,048 yards, with Barkley gaining 2,005 of that earlier than including a further 499 yards in 4 playoff video games. And when the Chiefs restricted Barkley to 57 yards dashing within the Tremendous Bowl, Moore responded with well-timed passing performs that included touchdowns of 46 yards to DaVonta Smith and 12 yards to A.J. Brown.
Moore would take over an offense that includes versatile working again Alvin Kamara and receiver Chris Olave.
Whereas in New Orleans for the Tremendous Bowl this previous week, Moore mentioned how he tries characteristic the strengths of obtainable personnel in his play-calling.
“You might have sure issues that you’ve got robust emotions about from a training perspective — sure philosophies — however I believe it’s vital to do what your gamers do greatest,” Moore mentioned. “Going from Dallas to LA to Philadelphia, we’ve actually performed three completely different kinds, and it’s enjoyable while you crew up with folks simply constructing it nevertheless we need to.”
Saints quarterback Derek Carr has two years left on his contract, however his future with the Saints is cloudy following a pair of non-playoff seasons with the membership.
Moore would change into the Saints’ second head coach since Payton briefly retired following the 2021 season, throughout which New Orleans went 9-7 and narrowly missed the playoffs.
That was the primary of what’s now 4 straight seasons with no playoff berth.
Payton’s former defensive coordinator, Dennis Allen, took over in 2021, solely to go 18-25 throughout 2 1/2 seasons earlier than being fired following a seven-game skid.
Darren Rizzi, who was a particular groups coordinator beneath each Payton and Allen, took over on an interim foundation and went 3-5.
He needed to stay with the Saints and interviewed for the full-time job after this season. New Orleans additionally interviewed Miami Dolphins coordinator Anthony Weaver, New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, Detroit defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Buffalo offensive coordinator Joe Brady.
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Former Dallas and Inexperienced Bay coach Mike McCarthy additionally was anticipated to interview with New Orleans however withdrew his candidacy on Jan. 28, simply days after Brady withdrew.
