Kellen Moore’s New Orleans Saints Era Begins with Uncertainty at Quarterback
In the world of professional football, few things are as closely scrutinized as the quarterback position. And when a new head coach steps into the spotlight, the first question on everyone’s mind is often about the man under center. This was certainly the case when New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore took the stage for his introductory news conference. The 36-year-old, who is now the youngest head coach in the league, was asked about his plans for quarterback Derek Carr.
Moore’s response was diplomatic, yet noncommittal. “Derek’s a tremendous quarterback in this league. I’ve had so much respect for him, the journey that he’s been on, he’s a starter in this league,” Moore said. “He’s a premier player in this league. … Really excited to team up with him and go through this process and so just like any player on this roster, I just got here a few days ago and I’m excited to go through this journey with all of them.”
While Moore’s words were complimentary, they stopped short of a firm commitment to Carr as the team’s starting quarterback. This has left fans and analysts alike speculating about the future of the position in New Orleans. The Saints are facing a challenging offseason, as they are expected to be significantly over the 2025 salary cap. The exact number has not been set yet, but the team must become cap compliant by the start of free agency on March 12. This includes addressing Carr’s hefty $51.4 million salary cap figure.
Moore reiterated his respect for Carr, calling him a “tremendous starting quarterback in his league,” but he also emphasized the importance of building the roster together. “We’re fortunate to have him and we’re excited to go through this process as we build this roster together,” Moore said. “Again, I’m meeting these guys for the first time the last few days, really excited to meet more of them. This will be a lot of fun.”
Moore’s journey to New Orleans comes after a successful stint as the Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator, where he helped lead the team to a victory in Super Bowl LIX. He plans to bring his offensive philosophy to the Saints, utilizing motion and tempo to stress defenses. “We like to use a lot of tempo every place that I’ve been,” Moore said. “We’ll use shifts and motions when we huddle, but we want to stress the defense. Now whether we have to throw it 50 times or run it 50 times, I really don’t care, however we’ve got to win a football game.”
Moore’s offensive strategy will be supported by the talents of running back Alvin Kamara, who recently signed a contract extension. Moore expressed his admiration for Kamara, saying, “Tons of respect for Alvin as a player. Obviously one of the premiere players in our league, his ability to play in the pass game and the run game, all the different versatile roles that he can play.”
The Eagles’ 15-12 win against the Saints in Week 3 of the season gave Moore a firsthand look at the talent on his new roster. Despite the challenges of injuries, Moore remains optimistic about the team’s potential. “Obviously injuries were a challenge this year and those things sometimes are challenging and uncontrollable circumstances and so we recognize there’s so much good going on here,” Moore said. “We want to embrace the good, don’t lose any of the good while building this thing the right way.”
When asked about his involvement in the roster-building process, Moore described it as “a collaborative effort,” but he did not specify whether the team needs to rebuild this year. Instead, he focused on the immediate goal of competing in the NFC South. “I think certainly we’re going to compete for this division,” he said. “We have a great opportunity in the NFC South and we’re going to focus on that while building this team the right way.”
- Moore is the youngest head coach in the NFL at 36.
- The Saints must address Carr’s $51.4 million salary cap figure by March 12.
- Moore plans to call plays and use tempo and motion in his offensive strategy.
- Alvin Kamara is a key player in Moore’s plans for the Saints.
As the Saints navigate the offseason, all eyes will be on Kellen Moore and his decisions regarding the quarterback position and the team’s overall strategy. With a new head coach at the helm, the Saints are poised for an intriguing journey ahead.
Originally Written by: Katherine Terrell
