Kellen Moore's Strategic Offseason with the Saints: Building for 2026
In his second offseason with the New Orleans Saints, Kellen Moore is finding a rhythm that was elusive last year. With the chaos of a Super Bowl win in his new home city behind him, Moore is now able to focus on refining the team's strategy and personnel.
Draft Preparation and Scouting Insights
After the Senior Bowl, Moore dove into draft preparations alongside college scouting director Jeff Ireland. This early engagement is a shift from his previous routine, where draft analysis came after free agency evaluations. Moore has already formed initial impressions of draft-eligible prospects and is using the scouting combine to deepen his insights.
Revamping the Run Game
A key takeaway from Moore's first season was the need to improve the Saints' ground game. The team didn't have a 500-yard rusher, a first since 1998.
Moore emphasized the importance of better performance on first and second downs to unlock explosive plays and improve red-zone efficiency. The focus is on tailoring these improvements around quarterback Tyler Shough, aiming to capitalize on his potential in his sophomore season.
Navigating Free Agency
Moore was tight-lipped about the futures of key free agents like Alontae Taylor, Demario Davis, and Cam Jordan, leaving those discussions to GM Mickey Loomis. However, he expressed a desire to retain as many core players as possible.
The situation with Alvin Kamara, who has an $18 million cap hit, remains unresolved. Moore acknowledged Kamara's injury-plagued season and its impact on his performance.
Reuniting with Familiar Faces?
Moore's coaching history includes stints with players like Dallas Goedert and Kenneth Gainwell. While he didn't comment on specific free agents, Moore acknowledged the value of familiar faces but stressed it isn't essential. His first year saw strategic acquisitions like Jack Stoll and Brandin Cooks to aid the transition to his system.
Balancing Strategies for Success
The Saints' offseason strategy under Moore has been a blend of reuniting with known entities and making bold moves like signing safety Justin Reid and trading for defensive tackle Davon Godchaux. As Moore enters his second season, this balanced approach seems poised to continue, aiming to build on the foundation laid in his inaugural year.