By Ross Jackson
The Reese’s Senior Bowl is a major opportunity for some top collegiate talent to showcase their skills and personalities in front of coaches and scouts. But it is also one of the largest churning rumor mill events of the offseason.
The New Orleans Saints have been the subject of many conversations throughout the week and among the most prevailing discourse has been the desirability of their open head coach position.
Recently, The Athletic NFL Insider Dianna Russini brought some of that conversation to light when she discussed the Saints’ opening on her Scoop City podcast some of the scuttlebutt around Mobile, Ala. Per Russini, there has been chatter about whether or not Philadelphia offensive coordinator Kellen Moore would want the job in New Orleans.
“And it’s due to the fact that they don’t have a quarterback already there in place,” she said. “That was concerning. But that being said, I do think he’s coming around on it from what I was hearing.”
While the focus on Russini’s report has been publicly turned into a discourse around why Moore may not take the job in New Orleans, this is actually a positive turn of events for New Orleans. Whether Moore did actually have issues with the Saints’ quarterback room or this is just reflective of those outside of the negotiations simply saying why they could project Moore not taking the job, it sounds like the Eagles offensive coordinator has turned the corner, per Russini.
However, the conversation is valid to be had. The Saints do not have a long-term answer at quarterback with starter 34 year-old Derek Carr in essentially the final year of his deal. Beside him, the team has two young and promising passers who have otherwise incomplete evaluations in Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener.
So if Moore isn’t confident in the room of passers currently in place, it would become his responsibility to reinvigorate it should he become head coach. Let’s explore some options for how Moore and the Saints can approach the position going into 2025, should be at the helm.
Keep with Carr
There are several subcategories here. Moore and the Saints could keep Carr in place for 2025 with an eye toward a stellar quarterback class in the 2026 NFL Draft or the team could again select a passer in this upcoming season’s draft to develop behind Carr. Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart has had a rising name already this offseason. The team could also go with Carr in the anticipation that he will be a solid fit in Moore’s malleable system, with the hopes of him playing his contract out in 2026. The latter seems like the furthest from reality.
This season’s quarterback draft class has been classified as underwhelming behind the top two passers. But if the right fit exists, investing now with a chance for the passer to grow behind a veteran, getting that player in the building soon is wise.
Roll with Rattler
Many would contest this after the rookie went 0-6 in his first six starts in 2024. However, considering the context of those losses and the potential of the player at the most important position in the league, giving up too quickly could be a major missed opportunity. Instead, giving the young signal caller a full offseason and building a scheme around him could be a path with a lot of potential.
Sign a free agent
One of the most popular quarterback names in free agency this offseason will continue to be Pittsburgh Steelers passer Justin Fields. The issue with Fields as an option is that he may never hit the market. With the Las Vegas Raiders hiring Pete Carroll as their next head coach, fellow Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson could follow suit, leaving Fields as the top option in Pittsburgh. Alongside Fields will be the market’s top option Minnesota Vikings Sam Darnold. But leaping from Carr to Darnold doesn’t make much sense financially.
Draft a starter
It would be a tall task in this year’s class, but the Saints could also move on from Carr and try to land another starter in this year’s draft. Dart would be the likely target, though ex-Saints quarterback Chase Daniel also highlighted Moore and Syracuse passer Klye McCord being a good fit, as well.
Dart led the SEC in passing yards with 4,279 and completion percentage with a 69.3% mark. He also tossed 29 passing touchdowns and six interceptions. The Ole Miss passer has been a big-time riser this offseason.
Meanwhile, McCord led the nation in passing yards with 4,779 while throwing 34 touchdowns passes to just 12 interceptions.
There are a ton of options available for the Saints and their next head coach, Moore or otherwise. It will take some financial finagling to move on from Carr, but it’s not impossible by any stretch. Otherwise, continuing with Carr makes sense as well, especially with a stacked quarterback class in 2026. If fans thought the head coach pursuit was dramatic and entertaining, just wait for the upcoming quarterback controversies.
