Kellen Moore’s Playcalling Prowess: Will the Saints’ Offense Finally Soar in 2025?

The New Orleans Saints are banking on a significant offensive turnaround in 2025. After a disappointing 5-12 season in 2024, marked by injuries and inconsistent quarterback play, the team has turned to Kellen Moore to revitalize their attack. Can Moore, fresh off a Super Bowl LIX victory with the Philadelphia Eagles, unlock the Saints’ offensive potential and lead them back to contention?

The Saints’ Offensive Struggles in 2024

The 2024 season was a low point for the Saints’ offense. Despite flashes of brilliance, the team struggled to find consistency, finishing with their worst record in almost two decades. Quarterback instability plagued the team, with Derek Carr’s injuries forcing them to rely on backups Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener. The running game, once a strength, also faltered, and the offensive line struggled to provide adequate protection.

Key Stats from 2024:

Points Per Game: 19.9 (24th in the NFL)
Total Offensive Yards: 5442
Passing Yards: 3730
Rushing Yards: 1954
Turnover Ratio: -2

These numbers paint a clear picture of an offense that struggled to score points, move the ball consistently, and protect the football. The Saints desperately needed a change, and they found it in Kellen Moore.

Kellen Moore: A Coaching Carousel Ride to New Orleans

Kellen Moore’s journey to the Saints’ head coaching job has been a whirlwind. After a playing career as a backup quarterback, Moore quickly rose through the coaching ranks. He began as the quarterbacks coach for the Dallas Cowboys in 2018 before being promoted to offensive coordinator in 2019. After his time with the Cowboys, Moore served as the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023 and the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024, winning Super Bowl LIX with the latter.

Moore’s Coaching Timeline:

2018: Quarterbacks Coach, Dallas Cowboys
2019-2022: Offensive Coordinator, Dallas Cowboys
2023: Offensive Coordinator, Los Angeles Chargers
2024: Offensive Coordinator, Philadelphia Eagles
2025: Head Coach, New Orleans Saints

Moore’s Offensive Philosophy: Tempo, Motion, and Attacking the Middle of the Field

Moore’s offensive philosophy is centered around stressing defenses with tempo, motion, and a varied attack. He aims to create mismatches and exploit weaknesses by utilizing the entire roster and keeping defenses off balance.

“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.”

Moore’s offenses have been known for their ability to attack the middle of the field, create explosive plays, and adapt to the strengths of their personnel. In Dallas, he oversaw top-ranked passing offenses. In Philadelphia, he coordinated a dominant rushing attack led by Saquon Barkley.

Key Areas for Improvement in 2025

For the Saints’ offense to soar in 2025, Moore will need to address several key areas:

Quarterback Stability: Derek Carr’s health is a major question mark heading into the season. The Saints also drafted Tyler Shough in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Moore’s ability to develop Shough and maximize Carr’s potential will be crucial.
Offensive Line Improvement: The Saints have invested heavily in their offensive line in recent years, drafting Kelvin Banks Jr. with the ninth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Moore and the coaching staff need to find the right combination and develop these young players into a cohesive unit.
Utilizing Playmakers: The Saints have talented playmakers in Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave, and Rashid Shaheed. Moore needs to find ways to get these players the ball in space and create opportunities for them to make plays.
Red Zone Efficiency: The Saints struggled in the red zone in 2024. Moore’s playcalling and scheme design will need to improve in this critical area to turn drives into touchdowns.

Can Moore Unlock Tyler Shough?

The Saints’ selection of Tyler Shough in the 2025 NFL Draft has raised eyebrows. Some analysts believe that Shough’s physical tools and skillset are a good fit for Moore’s offensive system.

ESPN’s Steve Muench compared Shough to quarterbacks Moore has worked with in the past, such as Dak Prescott, Justin Herbert, and Jalen Hurts. “Shough has a similar build to those players and is a better fit for Moore, who gets a talented rookie to mold,” Muench said.

Moore’s track record of developing quarterbacks suggests that he could be the right coach to unlock Shough’s potential.

The Impact of Coaching Staff Additions

Kellen Moore has assembled a coaching staff with Doug Nussmeier as his offensive coordinator and Brandon Staley as his defensive coordinator. Nussmeier has been the quarterbacks coach under Moore in Moore’s previous three stops while Staley was head coach of the Chargers from 2021-23 after a successful stint as the Rams’ defensive.

The Saints’ Draft Strategy: Building from the Trenches

The Saints’ decision to select offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. with the ninth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft underscores their commitment to building a strong offensive line. This pick signals a desire to establish a physical, run-first identity and protect their quarterback.

“This is a trenches game, this is a game that is won up front in a lot of ways,” Moore said. “We feel like we’re building a strength in that offensive line.”

Will the Saints’ Offense Soar in 2025?

The arrival of Kellen Moore brings a sense of optimism to New Orleans. His track record of offensive success, combined with the Saints’ existing talent and commitment to improving the offensive line, suggests that a significant turnaround is possible.

However, questions remain about quarterback stability and the ability of the offensive line to gel. If Moore can address these issues and implement his offensive philosophy effectively, the Saints’ offense could finally soar in 2025, leading the team back to contention in the NFC South.