NEW ORLEANS — One final victory is up for grabs before this NFL season comes to a close on Sunday night.
The New Orleans Saints are the lone team without a head coach, and Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore is set to fill a role he’s never held at any level of football.
“I’m going to lead by example. I believe (I will) lead the way I’ve always led,” Moore said. “Certainly in different roles, it dictates certain things you have to do. You understand that as you go through this journey and so I’ve been fortunate enough to be around some of the best in the business to learn and grow from.
“Lead your way. I think as long as you’re authentic and you’re real and you’re consistent with who you are, guys will respect that.”
Moore, 35, relocated every offseason for the past three years, bouncing from offensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys to the Los Angeles Chargers before Eagles coach Nick Sirianni hired him and forfeited play-calling duties in Philadelphia.
“Hopefully I’ve done my job to teach him like other coaches have helped me,” Sirianni said. “He’s very detail-oriented. He’s a good communicator. He’s great person to work with. I think we hit home runs with both (coordinator) hires.”
Players said Moore’s unique perspective as a former NFL quarterback — a backup with the Detroit Lions and Cowboys from 2012-17 — is evident in his approach. He’s quick to listen and cedes control to players. Eagles running back Saquon Barkley said the offensive thinktank of Sirianni, Moore, quarterback Jalen Hurts and other position coaches is a collaboration that invites buy-in from everyone who wants a voice.
“I think when the players feel like they have some ownership, they’re a part of the process, I think it’s excellent,” Moore said. “Hopefully those guys are out there making plays, and when they have conviction about something, usually they’re going to find a way to make it work.”
The next opportunity in New Orleans is the Super Bowl. The bigger opportunity arrives Monday, but Moore isn’t ready to discuss becoming head coach of the Saints.
“There’s certainly a great opportunity. I think the big thing is really getting to know people,” Moore said of the New Orleans opening. “Certainly there’s philosophies and things that there’s going to be questions about, but I think it’s an excellent opportunity just to get face-to-face and get to know the people. And get to know the interactions and see the fit that it may be.”
–Jeff Reynolds, Field Level Media
