The New Orleans Saints formally announced the hiring of Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore as the next head coach. Moore leaves Philadelphia after one season following the teams' dominant 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl.
The focus now turns to who Moore will hire in his coordinator positions. At least in the early going, it appears that there is a frontrunner for the team's defensive coordinator position. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that a Chargers reunion could be on the horizon with Brandon Staley being the favorite for Moore's DC.
After being fired by the Chargers in the 2023 season, Staley spent 2024 with the San Francisco 49ers. While he wasn't a playcaller, Staley's official title was "Assistant Head Coach/Defense" on Kyle Shanahan's staff.
San Francisco fired DC Nick Sorensen this offseason while hiring former New York Jets' head coach Robert Saleh as his replacement. With Saleh back as defensive coordinator, Staley's role with the Niners in 2025 remained in limbo.
Brandon Staley's Chargers ties to Kellen Moore may land him the Saints' DC job
Following Moore's firing from Dallas after the 2022 season, Staley hired him to the Chargers' vacant offensive coordinator opening for 2023. OC Joe Lombardi was fired following Los Angeles' playoff loss to Jacksonville.
Given how coaching staffs tend to be put together around the league based on their familiarity with the head coach, it wouldn't be a surprise for Moore to make this move. The preexisting relationship is clearly there and would expedite the staff's development.
In Staley's last season as a defensive coordinator in 2023, the Chargers finished 28th in total defense. As that year's Los Angeles team collapsed, Staley was fired the day after his defense gave up 63 points vs. the Raiders in a loss.
As Staley looks to rebuild his image around the league as a top a play caller, an opportunity on Kellen Moore's staff could be waiting in the NFC South.