Report: Kellen Moore has emerged as a lead candidate for the Saints head coaching job

Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore has “emerged as a lead candidate” for the New Orleans Saints’ head coaching job, according to a report from NFL insider Adam Schefter.

From his ESPN article:

No final decision has been made by New Orleans, which has held second interviews with three known candidates: Moore, Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver and New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka.

In addition to this report, NFL insider Jordan Schultz said “it’s starting to seem like Moore is the leader in the clubhouse in New Orleans.”

NFL insider Mike Garafolo adds that Moore “remains the most likely head coach in New Orleans but nothing is, or can be, finalized at this point.”

Indeed, the Saints cannot officially hire Moore until after the Super Bowl. But the two sides can obviously make their intentions clear before then.

When the Eagles last played in the Super Bowl two years ago, offensive coordinator Shane Steichen and defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon were both gone the next day. In Gannon’s case, he stayed in Arizona since that’s where the Super Bowl was being hosted. This year, Moore could just stay in New Orleans.

Losing Moore doesn’t seem ideal. The Eagles’ offensive coordinator spot continues to be a revolving door:

2022 — Shane Steichen2023 — Brian Johnson2024 — Kellen Moore2025 — ?

Jalen Hurts has long talked about his desire for play-caller continuity.

Of course, turnover at that position is hardly uncommon because either 1) the OC is underwhelming and gets replaced (see: Brian Johnson) … or … 2) the OC is good and he gets head coaching interest (see: Steichen and Moore).

In a more perfect world, the Eagles could find an offensive version of Vic Fangio who could be a lifer at the OC spot. But, again, you just doesn’t really see that happen around the NFL. The longest tenured offensive coordinators were hired in 2022. There are four of them.

It remains to be seen how the Eagles will replace Moore and the assistants that he might bring to New Orleans with him. Quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier, who was with Moore in both Dallas and Los Angeles, seems like a prime candidate to join him on the Saints’ head coaching staff.

We’ll have more (no pun intended) on Eagles offensive coordinator candidates. Perhaps passing game coordinator Kevin Patullo (Nick Sirianni’s right hand man) is an option to be promoted from within. Longtime Sirianni advisor Frank Reich could be a name to watch if he wants to get back into coaching? Bobby Slowik was a hot name in head coaching searches last year before the Houston Texans fired him recently.

The perfect way for Moore to finish out his one season with the Eagles will be to guide them to a second Super Bowl title on his way out.