By Ross Jackson
NEW ORLEANS — After a lengthy search for their next head coach, the New Orleans Saints are expected to land Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore as their next leader. However, assuming that comes to fruition following the Super Bowl, there are at least two more Eagles offensive coaching staff members that Moore should try to poach for his staff.
The connection between the community of New Orleans and the Saints is as unique a connection as can be found across all professional sports.
Knowing that, Moore should look to shoot for the stars if he becomes the next face of the franchise. One way to do so would be to look at ways to fill out the coaching staff with exciting hires. Two current Eagles staff members could be perfect additions. One would certainly be considered a long shot while the other has ties right back to not only New Orleans, but the Saints themselves.
Eagles offensive line coach and run game coordinator Jeff Stoutland
Believing that Stoutland would pick up and follow Moore after just one season together is a big swing to take, but one that Saints fans would deserve. Stoutland is the best offensive line coach in the NFL, who just pioneered an incredible season with the best offensive line in football and a 2,000 yard rusher in running back Saquon Barkley.
He’s been with the Eagles for 11 consecutive seasons and is one of the most respected coaches in the league. Despite being with the Eagles for more than a decade, the only promotion he’s received was the addition of the passing game coordinator tag back in 2018.
Moore could swing for the fences by offering Stoutland an offensive coordinator position and paycheck to coach the offensive line. During media availability Monday, Moore said that he intends to handle play calling on offense as a head coach. Adding an offensive coordinator is about adding someone to help install the offense and other various responsibilities.
However, Stoutland could have a role much like defensive coordinator Joe Woods in 2024 under former head coach Dennis Allen. Woods focused most of his work with the cornerback room even though he held the coordinator title.
New Orleans and Moore should try to get the same thing done with Stoutland to help reinvigorate the Saints’ offensive line play after the departure of last year’s position coach, John Benton, to the Seattle Seahawks.
Quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier
This one looks like it should be an easy sell. Nussmeier started his NFL career as a player with the Saints back in 1994. Following a nine-year stint as a college coach, Nussmeier returned to the NFL by joining the Dallas Cowboys staff in 2018. That was the same year that Moore was hired as the Cowboys quarterbacks coach.
A year after Moore was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2019, Nussmeier moved from tight ends to quarterbacks. After that, where Moore went, Nussmeier followed. The two were together with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023 and are currently both with the Eagles for their 2024 Super Bowl appearance.
Whether it would take promoting Nussmeier to offensive coordinator (should Stoutland decline the move) or he would be willing to continue as quarterbacks coach, getting Nussmeier to New Orleans should be seen as a very possible move. His son, Garrett Nussmeier, is currently the starting quarterback for the LSU Tigers and is set to enter the 2026 NFL Draft. Getting the elder Nussmeier back to the Big Easy would have a lot of personal benefits in addition to what it could mean for the Saints themselves.
