After a weeks-long search that saw several candidates emerge as potential hires, the LA Chargers ultimately hired Kellen Moore as the team's offensive coordinator. Moore has piloted one of the best offenses in the sport and was the only real candidate with play-calling experience.
Moore was employed by the Dallas Cowboys with the two sides agreeing it was best to part ways. Moore did not completely mesh with head coach Mike McCarthy and now he will have full control of the offense in LA.
McCarthy, meanwhile, will take over play-calling duties for the Cowboys. Whether or not that works remains to be seen but McCarthy explained at the NFL Combine where he and Moore didn't see eye-to-eye. The fact that McCarthy disagrees with Moore in this manner is sure to make Chargers fans love their OC even more.
Mike McCarthy and Kellen Moore have a difference of opinion on the Cowboys offensive philosophy pic.twitter.com/JlPL47GasS
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) March 1, 2023
Chargers fans should love Kellen Moore's offensive philosophy
Light up the scoreboard. That is all any Chargers fan needs to hear.
To be fair, there were times last season in which the Chargers did not run the ball enough when they should have. The team ran just seven times after having a 27-0 lead over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC Wild Card Round. Being able to run the ball is a very important skill.
But it is not like Moore piloted a bad running team in Dallas. Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard have made up arguably the best 1-2 running punch in the league in recent years. Moore was creative in how he played into each player's strengths both in the run and passing game.
What happened more often for the Chargers in 2022 was the team being passive. How many times did we see the Chargers lay an egg in the second half? It was not a coincidence that the team went on a months-long third-quarter touchdown drought.
Joe Lombardi would fall into habits, become too predictable and call plays like he had Chase Daniel under center instead of Justin Herbert. That is obviously not what Moore wants to do, as he will recognize that he has an elite QB under center and will light up the scoreboard with him.
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Mike McCarthy has not really been known as an offensive genius, so it is probably a good thing that he disagrees with Moore (especially in this regard). He can run the ball all he wants, Moore and Herbert are going to be putting up points.