Kellen Moore was non-committal on several topics during his introductory press conference as the new head coach of the New Orleans Saints on Thursday — save for one.
Moore said that he would be responsible for calling the team’s plays on offense. Perhaps that should come as no surprise since he left Dallas in 2023 when then-head coach Mike McCarthy took over the play calling.
As for his starting quarterback, roster decisions or the timing of naming his offensive and defensive coordinators, those answers will come at another time.
Moore likely is catching his breath after a whirlwind start to his week.
The then-offensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles helped his team to a decisive 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday in New Orleans.
Two days later, the Saints hired the 36-year-old Moore as the youngest head coach in the NFL. He effectively replaced Dennis Allen, who was fired in November after a 2-7 start to the 2024 season.
On Thursday, Saints owner Gayle Benson informed Moore of just how committed she is to putting him in the best possible position toward getting him back on the league’s grandest stage.
“Kellen, you have my full commitment to doing whatever it takes to deliver another Lombardi Trophy to our city,” Benson said.
Benson also lauded Moore as “exceptionally bright, creative and a tremendous leader.” She added that Moore has “been a winner in every stage of his career.”
Moore addressed the elephant in the room on Thursday when asked about taking over a team with the worst salary cap situation in the NFL. The team is projected to be $54.1 million over the cap.
“Certainly, the opportunity to go through the interview process allows us to have those conversations,” Moore said. “The leadership here is tremendous. They’re the best in the business from the business side of this operation, and we feel very comfortable with where we’re going.”
Where Moore immediately is going is back to Philadelphia — well, for the championship parade on Friday. Moore said he’s all-in after that for the Saints.
Moore praised Derek Carr on multiple occasions but stopped short of naming the veteran as his starting quarterback for the upcoming season.
“Derek is a tremendous quarterback in this league,” Moore said. “I have had so much respect for him, the journey he’s been on. He’s a starter in this league. He’s a premier player in this league. He’s had a great journey.
“I’m really excited to team up with him and go through this process — 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.”
Carr, 33, is scheduled to receive a $10 million roster bonus in March and $30 million for the upcoming season, per Spotrac. He reportedly is not willing to take a pay cut.
Moore also addressed the Saints’ need for offensive and defensive coordinators, saying that he wants to hire the right staff and do it the right way. He did not have a date by which he felt he needed to get that done.
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said he’s happy that Moore is in the fold after the comprehensive process.
“It took longer than we anticipated — simply because the Eagles kept winning,” Loomis said.
–Field Level Media
