Kellen Moore met with the media for the first time on Thursday since being introduced as the Eagles offensive coordinator. The former Boise State star quarterback and Cowboys and Chargers offensive coordinator will be tasked with making an already explosive offense much more efficient and less predictable.
Here are ten takeaways from what Moore said to the media during his first introduction.
Moore on being handed the keys to a talented offense
Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) scrambles against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia lost D’Andre Swift but added Saquon Barkley to a unit with A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert as primary weapons.
It’s been a really fun process. Through this whole process, you’re kind of getting to know the personnel. And obviously how [Executive Vice President/General Manager] Howie’s [Roseman] handled this off-season has been phenomenal. Just the pieces we added to complement the pieces we have in place. I think it’s been a phenomenal setup, and we’re really, really excited about it.
Moore on how his system differs from Shane Steichen/Brian Johnson
Jan 7, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore looks on during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
The Eagles spent two seasons with Shane Steichen as the OC, and one unbalanced season under Brian Johnson. Moore was asked about the differences in approach.
“I think everyone’s got their different flavor from a systematic approach. Our real focus here, as we’ve gone through this process, is we’ve got a lot of good going on. We can’t lose the good in the reps that [QB] Jalen [Hurts] and [WR] A.J. [Brown] have developed and [TE] Dallas [Goedert] has developed and this offensive line has developed. How can we build off of those things and really connect the whole thing.”
“That’s been a really fun process. There will be tweaks. There will be changes. Everything is constantly evolving. That’s part of this whole off-season program. We got to the first week of actually being on the field with these guys. Once you get on the field, things just start evolving.”
“That’s really where we’re at. We’re at a really beginning level of this thing. We’re really excited to go through this process. With phase 3 get a little more field work. When you get to training camp is when you can hammer the run game and the play action game and how that stuff connects.”
Moore on blending offensive systems
Jul 26, 2023; Costa Mesa, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore (left) and son during training camp at Jack Hammet Sports Comples. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Before Moore’s arrival, both offensive coordinators ran Nick Sirianni’s system. Now, it’ll be Moore’s system with some of Sirianni’s verbiage.
“I think it’s a really fun process. Fortunately, like most of us who go into the profession, you have different times in your career where whether it’s a new coach coming in, or you’re going into a new place, people have different exposures. The more conversations you can have, the more discussion points. Hey, we had an issue with this. We had a potential answer, vice versa, and you have that continuous conversation.“
“It’s been really, really fun. I love the opportunities that we can sit down and just talk about things. I learn from Nick [Sirianni]. Hopefully I can bring some things that people can learn hopefully from just maybe an experience that I’ve had that’s different than theirs. I think that’s part of this whole process. We’ve got a really, really good coaching staff here. There’s a good reason — I was fortunate to bring [Quarterbacks Coach] Doug [Nussmeier] and [Offensive Assistant] Kyle [Valero], but a lot of guys stayed here because we’ve got a really, really good staff.“
Kellen Moore on Jalen Hurts
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 08: Jalen Hurts #1 and Lane Johnson #65 of the Philadelphia Eagles at SoFi Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Since entering the NFL coaching ranks, Moore has worked with Dak Prescott and Justin Herbert. The new Eagles OC was asked about working with Jalen Hurts.
“Really enjoyed [QB] Jalen’s [Hurts] process. So far really it’s focused on how he processes the game and just kind of the classroom aspect of it, and we’re beginning the field process of really getting out on the field and being able to do this thing.“
“I’ve really enjoyed our conversations. I think he’s a really smart player. He has a great feel for this game. The more conversation we have, the more we get to make these adjustments and build off of this thing. Jalen’s [Hurts] one of the premier quarterbacks in this league for a reason.“
“You see it on film previously, but obviously getting on the field now, you’re certainly seeing it.“
Kellen Moore on embracing Jalen Hurts running ability
Jan 7, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore looks on during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Hurts has been among the league leaders in touchdowns and rushing yards from the quarterback position. Moore was asked about how he’ll approach Hurts’ dual-threat ability.
Certainly what [QB] Jalen’s [Hurts] done in the run game, there’s a handful of guys that can do this in this league. It’s certainly a really advantageous thing that we can continue to utilize, and certainly we will.
It’s a process that I’ve enjoyed, just better learning about how we’ve been able to use him and then exploring some other ways as we continue to grow this thing, how we can continue to build off of that.
It’s something that Jalen’s done a phenomenal job with, and we’ll obviously continue to embrace.
Moore on blending new terminology
Aug 12, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore watches during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
With a new play-caller and playbook comes a new language to get used to. Moore was asked about installing the offense and terminology differences.
Terminology, plays are plays. Words are words. I think it’s a combination of things we can build off of. If everyone understands a play and it makes sense, let’s keep things in place. It’s not that complicated. We’re continuing to evolve the system to make sure the language ties together, that the communication can be clean, and whether that word comes from Philadelphia, Los Angeles, or somewhere in between, we’re building that as we go.
Moore on coaching big named stars
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 19: Darius Slay #2 and A.J. Brown #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrate after an interception by Slay during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field on September 19, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Certainly we’re really excited about the guys that we have in place here. A lot of guys who can do a lot of different roles and a lot of variety. That excites us as far as just the way we can present things for the defense, challenge people pre-snap with all the different alignments and personnel groups that we can play with. That will be a continuing building process. I think the biggest thing is having clear identity of who we want to be, and ultimately week in and week out understanding their role certainly through a game. There’s going to be certain games where guys are going to get more attention than others, understand that you’re a big part of it. You may have the big time assist on a play that gives us an opportunity for someone else to score a touchdown. Maybe the next week now it goes vice versa and someone else has to help the other guy out. So I think there’s that continuous trust as we build this thing.
Moore on Eagles using more motion
Dec 31, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) walks off the field after loss to Arizona Cardinals at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia used motion among the least in the NFL last season, and that’ll likely change with Moore at the helm.
Certainly the shift in motion aspect of it, it probably goes back to how I grew up around the game with my dad being a high school coach, then being in college at Boise State, we kind of used it a lot. It’s always kind of stuck with me. There’s obviously advantages to it. There’s some things that you’re trying to gather information for the defense, and there’s other times you’re simply stressing the defense. So I think there’s those two elements. Ultimately you’re trying to build packages and create things so that the run and the action game and the drop-back game. So there’s alignment and similarities with the presentations that allows us to stress the defense with those different looks.
Moore on coaching Saquon Barkley
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 25: Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants looks on during warm ups prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 25, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
Saquon [Barkley] is a premier running back, first and foremost. We’re really excited about his ability to run the football. Obviously behind this offensive line, he’s done a tremendous job. They have such cohesion and done a great job up front. He’s going to be a great running back. We know the aspects that make him great. It’s his ability to be a great pass protector, to be a receiver out of the backfield. He does a phenomenal job with those things. Obviously we’ve got to try to utilize him as much as we can while understanding it’s a long season for running backs. We’ve got great guys behind him in [RB] Kenny [Gainwell] and [RB] Will [Shipley] and all the guys back there that we’re excited about. We’re fortunate to have Saquon.
Moore on role Cam Jurgens will play
Dec 25, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles center Cam Jurgens (51) against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
I think it’s a similar process as far as [C/G] Cam [Jurgens]. Obviously you’re continuing to evolve that system. It will take the whole off-season and even through the season continuing to utilize — the offensive line has a great perspective. The quarterback has a great perspective. Ultimately those guys have to be aligned and on the same page. Really excited about getting on the field with these guys and really building that system and understanding what tools we have in the tool box, continuing to have those conversations where we can have the answers necessary to handle the different challenges that defenses present.
Moore on helping Jalen Hurts defeat the blitz
Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) reacts during the second half of a 2024 NFC wild card game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
It’s just having a clean tool box. There’s a lot of different things we can do. Just making sure it’s clean, effective. As you build it, you’ve got to continue to evolve so that one week maybe your answer is a certain play, then maybe the next week you’ve got to make the adjustment off of that. That’s, I think, the continuous evolution through the season. There’s going to be different challenges each and every week. We’re going to walk into a room and deal with the blitz protection, and we’re going to look at it, and there’s going to be a couple challenges each and every week. That’s what these defenses do. They’re really good. They scheme you up. They give you a lot of challenges. So you’re continuing to find, okay, what’s the next tool that we can use? What’s the next tool that we can use? While still keeping it clean for the quarterback so he knows exactly what he needs, and he can handle it accordingly.
Moore Sirianni's culture
Feb 27, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni talks to the media at the 2024 NFL Combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
I think he’s [Head Coach Nick Sirianni] excellent with the details and holding guys accountable to the details and the fundamentals. That’s what I’ve been really, really excited about these first few weeks of just getting on the field is how much attention we focus on the fundamentals and details. I think he does a phenomenal job with it. He does a phenomenal job of holding guys accountable in the team meetings with it. It’s going to be a really exciting process.
