The New Orleans Saints’ search for their next head coach has taken an unexpected turn since top options like Aaron Glenn and Joe Brady passed on the job. As a result, the team has been forced to reassess its list of candidates.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore has emerged as the new frontrunner.
Jordan Schultz Clarifies New Orleans Saints Head Coach Picture
In a recent update, Schultz tweeted that Moore is among the top candidates for the job, especially in the wake of the news that former Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy wouldn’t be a significant part of the proceedings.
“Sources: Mike McCarthy did not garner the interest from the #Saints that he anticipated — and it’s starting to seem like #Eagles OC Kellen Moore is the leader in the clubhouse in New Orleans. McCarthy backs out before being shutout,” wrote Schultz.
The Saints are looking to revamp their offense, and Moore would help recover from the departure of offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. The former Boise State quarterback has built a strong reputation as one of the NFL’s brightest offensive minds, and his success as a play-caller has kept him on the radar for head coaching vacancies.
Sources: Mike McCarthy did not garner the interest from the #Saints that he anticipated — and it’s starting to seem like #Eagles OC Kellen Moore is the leader in the clubhouse in New Orleans.
McCarthy backs out before being shutout. pic.twitter.com/Noc1OHGeNn
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 29, 2025
While the Saints initially targeted Glenn and Brady for the job, both opted to coach elsewhere. Glenn became the New York Jets head coach, meaning he’ll get to coach against Brady, who will stick around as the Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator.
McCarthy’s name briefly surfaced in discussions, but the lack of mutual interest quickly shut that door. Now, Moore appears to be the leading candidate. Hiring Moore would be a pivot to hiring young offensive minds at head coach, rather than veteran defensive minds like Dennis Allen, who the team fired midseason.
Moore has steadily risen through the coaching ranks since retiring as a player. He started as the Dallas Cowboys’ quarterbacks coach before quickly earning a promotion to offensive coordinator in 2019. His impact was immediately felt as he helped Dak Prescott improve his passing efficiency and guided the Cowboys to one of the league’s top offenses.
After four seasons as the offensive coordinator in Dallas, Moore spent 2023 with the Los Angeles Chargers in the same role. In 2024, he joined the Philadelphia Eagles, and his influence has been felt once again. Under Moore, the Eagles ranked seventh in red zone trips per game while maintaining the fourth-lowest turnover rate in the league. By PFN’s Offense+ metric, Philadelphia had the 14th-best offense in football.
The Saints have struggled offensively in recent years, failing to establish a consistent passing attack. In such a scenario, Moore’s ability to maximize quarterback play and create explosive play-action opportunities could provide the offensive spark New Orleans desperately needs.
His track record of raising play-action passer ratings from 103.5 with the Cowboys to 114.5 with the Eagles also shows his ability to adapt and improve on the headset.
Additionally, Moore has worked with franchise quarterbacks at every stop, from Dak Prescott to Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts. If the Saints plan to draft or develop a young quarterback, Moore’s experience in elevating talent could make him the right choice.
New Orleans will continue to evaluate its options, but if Moore is indeed the “leader in the clubhouse,” he could soon be tasked with revitalizing a franchise searching for its next great offensive mind.