The Saints Hire Former Eagles OC Kellen Moore as New Head Coach

New Orleans Saints announce agreement with Kellen Moore to become Head Coach 👏 pic.twitter.com/XRFLbwSXTJ

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) February 11, 2025

Moore, who is fresh off leading Philly’s offense to a win at Super Bowl 59 with a 40-22 thrashing against the Kansas City Chiefs this past Sunday, will be taking over for interim coach Darren Rizzi, who himself filled in for former coach Dennis Allen, who was fired after the team’s seventh consecutive loss after starting with a 2-0 record this past season.

Fun Fact: Kellen Moore won more games in the Superdome this season than Dennis Allen. #Saints

— Darth Saint (@Darth_Saint) February 10, 2025

Saints owner Gayle Benson made it clear that hiring Moore was not a tough decision to make, highlighting the immediate impact Moore had since the beginning of the interview process, stating: “Through the search process, it became clear that Kellen is the right person to help us re-establish a winning program and culture that our fans are accustomed to and have come to expect.”

And just like that, Kellen Moore gets a Super Bowl ring and a HC job. Fucking phenomenal. pic.twitter.com/sI7g4mOTmB

— Deity (@Deity7) February 10, 2025

Now it’s on Moore to try and bring some joy, hopefully via winning a slew of NFL games to a New Orleans fan base that’s been through the ringer the past couple of seasons.

Can Moore Revive NOLA’s Football Culture?

After going 5-12 last season and finishing last in the NFC South standings, and without a playoff appearance since 2020, it’s safe to say the Saints could use a breath of fresh air to bring their reeling football culture back to life.

Now, with a coach like Moore, who has proven that little can be thrown at him to catch him off his game, New Orleans could be in just for that: a change of culture.

At the end of the day, we’re talking about a man who just two days ago, with NFL rumors already going crazy about his potential signing with the Saints, was still able to silence all the noise around him and focus on having Philly’s offense become a point-scoring bulldozer against the two-time defending Super Bowl champions.

Truly amazing Kellen Moore was able to focus on the Super Bowl after it became known he was taking a head coaching job in the same city as the game.

Never seen anything like it.pic.twitter.com/EPql66MOfE

— Dan Wilson (@dan_wilson4) February 10, 2025

In a short but heartfelt statement thanking the Eagles, Moore said he was ready for what’s to come in NOLA: “I look forward to embracing the challenges ahead and am eager to get started. I would also like to thank the Philadelphia Eagles for an incredible 2024 season. I’m excited to begin this new chapter.”

What Should Be in Moore’s Saints To-Do List?

So what’s expected of Moore in this “new chapter”? Two things stand out immediately.

One, what to do with the team’s defense. Last season alone, the Saints allowed 379.9 total yards per game on offense, putting them as the third-worst ranked “D” all last season in the league, something that didn’t necessarily spell favorites when it came to Super Bowl odds.

This is where finding a strong defensive coordinator to join him will be key. Following Moore’s hiring by the Saints, rumors of former LA Chargers head coach Brandon Staley being pitted as the favorite to take over the DC duties.

Former Chargers HC Brandon Staley, who spent last season as an assistant coach in San Francisco, is a leading candidate to become Kellen Moore‘s defensive coordinator in New Orleans, per sources. pic.twitter.com/JzdhZmHKo0

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 11, 2025

Who knows? Maybe a position swap could work well since Staley and Moore had already coached together when NOLA’s new HC served as Offensive Coordinator for Staley in LA.

Secondly, how can an offense with little to no firepower be revived? Should the Saints enter the quarterback market in free agency this offseason to find an alternative to Derek Carr, or should they stick with the veteran?

Yay. But we have a Derek Carr problem https://t.co/5jhiooW6Oy pic.twitter.com/YwRJXzyw0S

— Wholesome Hokage (@JustJayBBK) February 11, 2025

Thankfully, following Moore’s one-season tenure with Philadelphia’s offense, it doesn’t hurt to give him the benefit of the doubt for now. At least the team’s betting odds will look more enticing.