NFL Rumors: Eagles’ Kellen Moore Is ‘Favorite’ for Saints HC Job with McCarthy Out

With Kliff Kingsbury returning to the Washington Commanders and Mike McCarthy reportedly pulling his name out of contention for the New Orleans Saints’ head-coaching vacancy, Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore is now the “favorite” to land that job, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

“It has been very clear,” he continued. “They have not officially made any sort of decision—they can’t finalize any deal until after the Super Bowl—but certainly, you talk to people around the league, talk to people involved with this, at least right now it appears the signs point toward Moore.”

Moore, 36, has ascended quickly in the coaching ranks after a short playing career as a backup quarterback, starting with the Dallas Cowboys in 2018 as a quarterbacks coach before taking over as the offensive coordinator (2019-22).

When Mike McCarthy decided to take over play-calling duties for the Cowboys after the 2022 season and parted ways with Moore, the Los Angeles Chargers came calling, and Moore served as the team’s offensive coordinator for the 2023 campaign.

But he found himself on the coaching market yet again after Jim Harbaugh was hired in Los Angeles and brought aboard his own staff. This time, Moore landed with the Philadelphia Eagles as the offensive coordinator after head coach Nick Sirianni made major changes to his coaching staff.

That move was arguably Moore’s best one yet, as he helped guide Philadelphia’s offense to top-10 ranks in both points (27.2 PPG, seventh in the NFL) and yards (367.2 YPG, eighth). Moore devised a run-heavy offense around Philly’s superstar running back Saquon Barkley and the team’s vaunted offensive line while asking Jalen Hurts to take less chances in the passing game.

The approach has worked, as the Eagles are now in the Super Bowl, have rushed for an absurd 227.7 yards per game in three postseason contests and have yet to turn the ball over in the playoffs. Combined with an excellent defense, Philly’s conservative but effective offensive style of play has led them to the Super Bowl.

And Moore has now guided his offenses to four top-10 seasons in points scored and three top-10 seasons in total yardage.

It is fair to question if leaving Philadelphia for a Saints team with a mediocre roster and brutal cap situation is the best move for the young offensive mind. But head-coaching opportunities are scarce and Moore may jump on this one while he has the chance, barring the Saints reversing course and going with a different candidate.