Saints’ high rate use of motion likely to continue

Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

By Ross Jackson

The use of pre-snap motion and motion at the snap have long been a proven benefit to NFL offenses. After years of abstaining from the practice, the New Orleans Saints began to embrace the new wave with their 2024 offense under the direction of now-Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak.

The Saints went from the No. 26 motion offense in the league in 2023 (485 snaps) to becoming the No. 20 offense in usage in 2025 (597), per Next Gen Stats.

However, things shot into the stratosphere in 2026 following the hire of head coach and offensive playcaller Kellen Moore.

Last year, under Moore, the Saints ran the third highest rate of motion in the league. Their 724 offensive snaps with motion ranked within the top three, and the offense’s 59% passing rate out of those snaps ranked No. 7 in the league.

While the No. 7 ranking may generate a perception that the Saints are throwing too often out of these motion plays, a 59/41% split creates more than enough mystery.

Along with using motion, when it’s used has a big impact, as well. Considering the Saints threw the ball the majority of the time in these snaps, it’s not surprising that they led the league in third down motion usage.

Snaps With Motion by Down

First down: 324 (No. 9)

Second down: 252 (No. 3)

Third down: 169 (No. 1)

Fourth down: 18 (No. 15)

As for impact, the Saints scored 28 touchdowns during the 2025 season. 23 of them came on plays with motion. The team’s yards per play average went from only 5.0 yards per play to 5.2 while their EPA/play rose slightly from minus-0.12 without to minus-0.09 when incorporated.

Therefore, despite positive passing production and the majority of their scoring having been achieved with motion, there’s certainly still room for improvement.

New Orleans is likely to continue embracing this area of its offense, matching the NFL’s modern-day habits. During rookie minicamp, the team was already incorporating shifts and motion with only rookies, tryout players and a small group of eligible veterans on the field.