Saints Hiring Kellen Moore
A Bold New Chapter in New Orleans
The New Orleans Saints are making a critical addition to their coaching staff, as they are set to hire Kellen Moore as their new offensive coordinator following Super Bowl LVIII, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Moore, best known for his innovative offensive schemes, brings a fresh perspective to a Saints offense that struggled to find consistency in the 2023 season. This move signals a shift in offensive philosophy for New Orleans as they look to reestablish themselves among the NFC’s top contenders. With head coach Dennis Allen still at the helm, the hiring of Moore could be the missing piece the Saints need to revitalize their attack and compete at a higher level in 2024.
Moore’s Offensive Pedigree
Kellen Moore, a former standout college quarterback at Boise State, has quickly risen through the NFL coaching ranks. After four seasons as the Dallas Cowboys’ offensive coordinator (2019-2022), he spent the 2023 season in the same role with the Los Angeles Chargers. While his tenure in Los Angeles was met with mixed results, his time in Dallas solidified his reputation as one of the league’s brightest young offensive minds. In Dallas, Moore orchestrated one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses. Under his direction, the Cowboys ranked:
His high-powered schemes emphasized pre-snap motion, creative route concepts, and the effective usage of versatile playmakerselements that the Saints could certainly use.
The Saints’ Offensive Woes
Despite having playmakers like Chris Olave and Alvin Kamara, the Saints’ offense lacked firepower and cohesion in 2023. Quarterback Derek Carr, in his first season with the team, showed flashes but struggled with inconsistency. The Saints finished middle-of-the-pack in most offensive categories, which put added pressure on their normally stout defense. The hope is that Moore can maximize the potential of this unit. His track record suggests he can:
If Moore can bring the aggressive, up-tempo offense he built in Dallas while maintaining efficiency, the Saints could take a major leap forward in 2024.
What This Means for the Saints’ Future
This move comes at a crucial juncture for New Orleans. The Saints finished 9-8 in 2023, narrowly missing the playoffs in a winnable NFC South division. With this hire, they are signaling that the offense will no longer be an afterthoughtit will be a focal point. For Carr, this hiring could be career-defining. He has never had an offensive coordinator with Moore’s willingness to attack defenses aggressively. With the right adjustments, Carr could return to Pro Bowl-level play, much like what Moore did with Dak Prescott and Justin Herbert. Additionally, this could impact the team’s offseason approach. If Moore’s system thrives with certain types of players, the Saints may look to add more speed at receiver or reinforce their offensive line to fully support his play designs.
Final Thoughts
The Saints’ decision to hire Kellen Moore is not just about tweaking the offenseit’s about crafting a new identity. If history is any indication, Moore’s arrival will inject creativity, explosiveness, and renewed confidence into a unit that desperately needs it. New Orleans fans have long been accustomed to entertaining, high-scoring football. After a few stagnant seasons post-Sean Payton and Drew Brees, they may finally have the right coach to lead their offense into the future. With Moore designing plays, the Saints’ offense is about to get a serious faceliftone that could make them a real contender in the NFC once again.
