New head coach, quarterback dubbed Saints' best reason for optimism in 2025
Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox recently went through what he believed to be each team's 'biggest reason for optimism' in 2025. For the Saints, it was the fact that they are going to have a new head coach and quarterback after last year's disappointment. Here's some of what Knox wrote to explain that call:
Moore isn't a proven head coach, but he's had multiple successful stints as an offensive coordinator. The Saints don't have an established quarterback yet, but they'll have an intriguing competition between youngsters Jake Haener, Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough.
It remains to be seen whether these changes will yield positive results. However, they do mean that the days of trying to contend with a holdover head coach and bridge quarterbacks like Carr and Jameis Winston are over.
Dennis Allen took over once Sean Payton left and had a rough couple of years at the helm. Fans were calling for him to be fired well before he did, and he was only in charge for two and a half years. The best record of his tenure was 9-8 and that team failed to make the playoffs. Things did not seem to be improving under him, so getting a fresh face in town could be fun.
Kellen Moore isn't the most explosive personality in the league, but he is coming off a Super Bowl run with the Philadelphia Eagles and is a great offensive mind. At worst, fans should be able to look forward to more consistency on that side of the field. There is an excitement of the unknown in the first year of an NFL coach's career at the helm.
The change at quarterback will be even more exciting for many, given that Derek Carr had become public enemy number one within the fan base before his retirement. There were flashes of greatness, namely the first two games of 2024, but the consistency was a massive issue.
Even though the quarterback play might not be better right away, two young quarterbacks are going to make a push for playing time next season in Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough. Similar to the unknown with Moore, it will be fun to see how these young passers separate themselves and compete in training camp.
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