Eagles OC Kellen Moore emerging as a lead candidate to land the Saints head coaching job as McCarthy Bows Out
Former Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, once in contention for the New Orleans Saints job, has decided to sit out the 2025 season and focus on future coaching opportunities, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Tuesday night. With McCarthy out, Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore has become a leading candidate to fill the Saints’ vacancy.
New Orleans has yet to make a final decision, but they have conducted second interviews with three known candidates: Moore, Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, and New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka. Moore’s second interview took place Monday, just a day after his Eagles offense exploded for 55 points in the NFC Championship win over Washington.
McCarthy had been scheduled to interview with the Saints this week but will now shift his attention to the 2026 hiring cycle, a source confirmed to ESPN. The former Cowboys coach, who went 49-35 over five seasons in Dallas, mutually parted ways with the team after his contract expired. He had also interviewed for the Chicago Bears job before they ultimately hired Ben Johnson.
The Saints remain the only NFL team with a head coaching vacancy after firing Dennis Allen during the season. Special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi served as interim coach and was also interviewed for the full-time position. Meanwhile, other potential candidates have withdrawn from consideration—Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury opted not to pursue the job, while Bills OC Joe Brady declined a second interview to remain in Buffalo. Aaron Glenn, another interviewee, was hired by the New York Jets.
McCarthy has taken a similar approach before. After being dismissed by the Green Bay Packers in 2018, he sat out the 2019 season despite interviewing for the Browns and Giants jobs.
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