NEW ORLEANS — Kellen Moore, who oversaw the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles offense this season, has agreed to return to the site of his latest triumph as the next coach of the New Orleans Saints, a person familiar with his decision told The Associated Press.
The 36-year-old Moore would join an organization that has floundered since the retirement of quarterback Drew Brees and departure of Super Bowl-winning coach Sean Payton. The Saints haven’t made the playoffs since the 2020 season — the last of Brees’ career.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the Saints did not confirm the decision. But their interest in Moore became increasingly evident as they waited longer to fill their vacancy than any other NFL team seeking a new coach.
Moore was the only assistant coach on either Super Bowl team to interview with the Saints and thus the only candidate who, under league rules, could not be hired until after Sunday’s title game.
The Saints’ decision on Moore mirrors that of several teams that have found success after hiring relatively young offensive coaches. That includes the Los Angeles Rams with Sean McVay, the Green Bay Packers with Matt LaFleur, the Miami Dolphins with Mike McDaniel and the Minnesota Vikings with 2024 AP Coach of the Year Kevin O’Connell. All four of those coaches were hired in their 30s.
A standout college quarterback at Boise State, Moore had a six-year career as a practice-squad or reserve QB with the Detroit Lions (2012-14) and Dallas Cowboys (2015-17). He played in just three regular-season games, all with the Cowboys in 2015.
He moved into coaching in 2018 as the Cowboys quarterbacks coach and was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2019. He left Dallas to join the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023 before moving to Philadelphia in 2024.
While Moore tended to favor pass-heavy schemes in his early years as a coordinator, he adapted when he joined the Eagles.
Recognizing Philadelphia’s strength as a running team — with its big, physical offensive line, star running back Saquon Barkley and mobile quarterback Jalen Hurts — Moore oversaw the NFL’s second-ranked ground game in 2024.
The Eagles rushed for a franchise-record 3,048 yards, with Barkley gaining 2,005 of that before adding an additional 499 yards in four playoff games. And when the Chiefs limited Barkley to 57 rushing yards in the Super Bowl, Moore responded with well-timed passing plays that included touchdowns of 46 yards to DaVonta Smith and 12 yards to A.J. Brown.
Moore would take over a Saints offense featuring versatile running back Alvin Kamara and wide receiver Chris Olave.
While in New Orleans for the Super Bowl last week, Moore discussed how he tries to feature the strengths of available personnel in his play calling.
“You have certain things that you have strong feelings about from a coaching perspective — certain philosophies — but I think it’s important to do what your players do best,” Moore said. “Going from Dallas to L.A. to Philadelphia, we’ve certainly played three different styles, and it’s fun when you team up with people just building it however we want to.”
Saints quarterback Derek Carr has two years left on his contract, but his future with the team is cloudy after a pair of non-playoff seasons.
Moore would become the Saints’ second head coach since Payton briefly retired after the 2021 season, during which New Orleans went 9-7 and narrowly missed the playoffs.
That was the first of what is now four straight seasons without a playoff berth.
Payton’s former defensive coordinator, Dennis Allen, took over in 2022 and went 18-25 during 2½ seasons before being fired after a seven-game skid.
Darren Rizzi, a special teams coordinator under both Payton and Allen, took over on an interim basis and went 3-5.
Rizzi wanted to remain with the Saints and interviewed for the full-time job after the season. The Saints also interviewed Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady.
Former Cowboys and Packers coach Mike McCarthy also was expected to interview with the Saints but withdrew his candidacy on Jan. 28, just days after Brady withdrew.
AP’s Rob Maaddi in Clearwater, Fla., contributed.