Saints To Interview Kellen Moore Before Super Bowl

JANUARY 26: With the Eagles advancing to the Super Bowl, the Saints did not want to wait until February to speak with Moore about their head coaching vacancy. Their decision-makers will travel to Philadelphia to interview Moore in-person this week, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, positioning him as a frontrunner for the job.

Interestingly, Moore will be in New Orleans the week after, where the Eagles will be using the Saints’ facility as they prepare for another championship matchup with the Chiefs, per Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football.

JANUARY 25: With Joe Brady electing to remain in place with the Bills for at least one more year, another candidate is out of the running for the Saints’ head coaching position. New Orleans is the only team with a HC vacancy, and the list of staffers still in the running is well known at this point.

Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver have now conducted second interviews with the Saints. Their in-person meeting were slightly delayed by the weather earlier this week, something which also pushed back the team’s timing regarding Mike McCarthy. The former Cowboys head coach is free to speak with the Saints at any time, but a higher priority appears to be in place.

Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football confirms McCarthy remains interested in interviewing for the Saints’ head coaching gig. Interestingly, though, he adds the team does not plan on speaking with him before conducting a second interview with Kellen Moore. The latter was unable for a meeting of any kind this week with the Eagles preparing for the NFC title game, but he can speak with the Saints next week regardless of its outcome.

On Monday, it was reported McCarthy’s interview was set to take place over the coming days. That has not proven to be the case despite his status as a coaching free agent. The 61-year-old had a Bears interview request blocked by the Cowboys while the possibility remained he would remain with Dallas for next season. McCarthy and the Cowboys ultimately parted ways, though, leaving the former Saints OC on the lookout for his next opportunity.

Shortly after the most recent McCarthy update regarding New Orleans’ search, it was learned Moore was among the targets of a second interview request. If the Eagles lose tomorrow, the former Cowboys and Chargers OC will be free to speak with New Orleans and (if offered) take the HC position at any time. Even if Philadelphia advances to the Super Bowl, Moore will be available for an in-person interview during the bye week which is in place before the game. Of course, the 35-year-old could not be hired by the Saints until after the Super Bowl if the team elected to go in that direction.

Kafka and Weaver are in the same position as McCarthy in that their timelines are not tied to this weekend’s results. Especially with that in mind, it is telling that the Saints do not intend to move forward with their search until Moore (who was at one point viewed as the frontrunner for the Cowboys’ gig) becomes available. With every other head coaching vacancy now filled, New Orleans does not have the threat of Moore taking another position and the team can therefore afford to remain patient.