New Orleans Saints hire Kellen Moore as youngest head coach in NFL history
Kumar Shivam | THE TIMES OF INDIA NEWS SERVICE | Feb 12, 2025, 01:29 IST
The New Orleans Saints hired Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore as their new head coach after a lengthy search. Moore, 36, becomes the youngest head coach in NFL history. He previously coached the Cowboys' offense, leading top-ranked units. The Saints face a tough financial outlook for 2025, with key players and quarterback Derek Carr's future uncertain.
The New Orleans Saints have become the final team to fill their head-coaching vacancy this offseason, wrapping up a lengthy search by bringing back a key figure from their Super Bowl-winning past. On Tuesday, the Saints hired Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore as their next head coach. Moore had long been the team’s top candidate, but the deal couldn’t be finalized until after the Eagles’ 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 59 on Sunday.
After the game, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni joked with Moore, saying, “Let’s run this (expletive) back, Kellen,” laughing as he made the comment.
At 36, Moore will become the youngest head coach in NFL history, surpassing the previous record held by Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald, who is 37.
Moore's career in coaching started soon after his time as a backup quarterback for the Detroit Lions (2012-14) and Dallas Cowboys (2015-17). He became the Cowboys' quarterbacks coach in 2018, offering steady support for Dak Prescott. The next year, Moore was promoted to offensive coordinator. Under his leadership, the Cowboys’ offense ranked first in total yards twice and in the top six in scoring in three of his four seasons, with the only exception being 2020, when Prescott suffered a severe ankle injury after five games.
Following the Cowboys’ playoff exit, Moore and the team parted ways, with McCarthy taking over play-calling duties. Moore spent one year as the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers before joining the Eagles. With Philadelphia, Moore’s offense ranked second in rushing, led by All-Pro running back Saquon Barkley, who racked up 2,005 rushing yards during the regular season.
The Saints' coaching search took longer than expected after they fired Dennis Allen in November due to a 2-7 start to the season. Several candidates dropped out, including former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who chose the New York Jets' head-coaching position instead of coming back to New Orleans for a second interview. Other candidates, like Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, withdrew after virtual interviews, and the Washington Commanders decided not to pursue the role. Mike McCarthy, who parted ways with the Cowboys after five years, also chose to sit out and focus on next year’s coaching cycle.
Looking ahead, the Saints are in a tough financial position, projected to be $54 million over the salary cap for 2025. Quarterback Derek Carr, who played in only 10 games last season due to injury, has a cap hit of over $51 million, including a $10 million roster bonus due in March. Cutting Carr would result in a $50 million dead cap hit. Longtime players such as defensive end Cameron Jordan, right tackle Ryan Ramczyk, and tight end Taysom Hill also face uncertain futures in New Orleans.
The Eagles, on the other hand, will be searching for a new offensive coordinator for the fourth straight year. Moore’s departure follows previous coordinators Shane Steichen (2022) and Brian Johnson (2023), who both moved on to head coaching jobs.
After the game, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni joked with Moore, saying, “Let’s run this (expletive) back, Kellen,” laughing as he made the comment.
At 36, Moore will become the youngest head coach in NFL history, surpassing the previous record held by Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald, who is 37.
Moore's career in coaching started soon after his time as a backup quarterback for the Detroit Lions (2012-14) and Dallas Cowboys (2015-17). He became the Cowboys' quarterbacks coach in 2018, offering steady support for Dak Prescott. The next year, Moore was promoted to offensive coordinator. Under his leadership, the Cowboys’ offense ranked first in total yards twice and in the top six in scoring in three of his four seasons, with the only exception being 2020, when Prescott suffered a severe ankle injury after five games.
Following the Cowboys’ playoff exit, Moore and the team parted ways, with McCarthy taking over play-calling duties. Moore spent one year as the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers before joining the Eagles. With Philadelphia, Moore’s offense ranked second in rushing, led by All-Pro running back Saquon Barkley, who racked up 2,005 rushing yards during the regular season.
The Saints' coaching search took longer than expected after they fired Dennis Allen in November due to a 2-7 start to the season. Several candidates dropped out, including former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who chose the New York Jets' head-coaching position instead of coming back to New Orleans for a second interview. Other candidates, like Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, withdrew after virtual interviews, and the Washington Commanders decided not to pursue the role. Mike McCarthy, who parted ways with the Cowboys after five years, also chose to sit out and focus on next year’s coaching cycle.
Looking ahead, the Saints are in a tough financial position, projected to be $54 million over the salary cap for 2025. Quarterback Derek Carr, who played in only 10 games last season due to injury, has a cap hit of over $51 million, including a $10 million roster bonus due in March. Cutting Carr would result in a $50 million dead cap hit. Longtime players such as defensive end Cameron Jordan, right tackle Ryan Ramczyk, and tight end Taysom Hill also face uncertain futures in New Orleans.
The Eagles, on the other hand, will be searching for a new offensive coordinator for the fourth straight year. Moore’s departure follows previous coordinators Shane Steichen (2022) and Brian Johnson (2023), who both moved on to head coaching jobs.