Kellen Moore Brings More Than Just Motion to the Philadelphia Eagles
There are so many reasons to fall into the trap of negativity surrounding the 2023 Philadelphia Eagles collapse. They created it, and we all lived it along with them. The hiring of Vic Fangio as Defensive Coordinator has created a minor stir of blue skies in the area. The new Offensive Coordinator could bring on a full rainbow. Kellen Moore brings more than just motion. Here are some valid reasons to be optimistic.
Kellen Moore loves motion in his offense.
Moore’s offenses have ranked in the Top 10 in pre-snap motion in every one of his seasons as a coordinator. He creates it as a diversion to confuse opposing defenses. He will load up wide receivers in formations before setting up a quarterback draw play. It’s something that was lacking in the 2023 Eagles offense under Brian Johnson.
He schemes his wide receivers into wide open spaces.
Yards after the catch (YAC) is one way to figure out how wide open receivers are. Moore’s offenses have consistently had strong talent, but the wide receivers benefit the most by his creativity. His YAC resume is fantastic, and with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith in the fold, he will create plenty of opportunity.
Dallas Goedert won’t be forgotten.
Remember how many times the tight end would terrorize the Eagles defense in a matchup with the Dallas Cowboys? They say a tight end is the quarterback’s security blanket. He will make sure that Jalen Hurts and Dallas Goedert improve their connectivity.
As a former QB himself, Kellen plans for the blitz.
Kellen Moore played big-time college football at Boise State and then went to the NFL. He is not just a coach. He understands what Hurts is going to face from ferocious pass rushes. That history and knowledge can only benefit Hurts, who had no such mind working on his behalf in 2023.
He’s acquainted well with the NFC East.
The Eagles have had a difficult time when facing Dallas, and it has cost them the division title a couple of times. Moore can not only help the Eagles offense when combatting the Cowboys defense, but he can give the staff valuable insights on what Mike McCarthy likes to do on offense.
He has real stories to share with his players.
Real-life experience. He has it, and last year it was lacking. Jalen Hurts will have a chance to trade war stories of life in college football and the NFL. I doubt we will be hearing about Moore relying on high school football coaching experiences of his brother in order to motivate the players.
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Whether you love the moves or not, no one can logically argue that the Eagles have not upgraded at both coordinator positions. These are the first positive signs of life for the 2024 Eagles!
The Eagles have an Offensive Coordinator. They are expected to hire Kellen Moore, per Ian Rapoport. Eagles fans, what do you think about this hire? pic.twitter.com/1g0R8lt9fj
— 97.5 The Fanatic (@975TheFanatic) January 28, 2024
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Philadelphia Eagles 2024 Offseason Stay Or Go: Offense
Jalen Hurts
Hurts didn’t have an excellent season in 2023. His agility and explosiveness as a runner didn’t help the offense like it did in 2022, and he carelessly turned the ball over at a rate well above his career average. However, there’s no chance the Eagles look to make a change at starting quarterback this offseason.
Stay
Marcus Mariota
Hurts stayed relatively healthy, and the Eagles didn’t play in many blowout games that gave Mariota a chance to take snaps. There is not enough of a sample size with the Eagles to judge the performance of the former Heisman Trophy winner in regular-season action.
While the Eagles have a preference for backups with starting experience, they could bring in a free agent upgrade even if they aren’t comfortable with Tanner McKee on the second team.
Go
Tanner McKee
McKee was never expected to make an immediate impact. He performed well during the preseason, and the organization will hang onto him as their second or third quarterback in 2024.
Stay
D'Andre Swift
The Eagles don’t typically value running backs as a top priority. Allowing Miles Sanders to leave in free agency and acquiring Swift for a minimal trade package demonstrated those feelings.
Swift carried the ball 229 times in 2023, shattering his previous career-high of 151. A running back coming off a 1000-yard season will command more money in free agency than the Eagles will offer.
Go
Kenny Gainwell
Nick Sirianni values Kenny Gainwell highly, for better or for worse. Even if the head coach doesn’t return, Gainwell is a serviceable back on an affordable rookie contract.
Stay
Boston Scott
The Giants bit was fun while it lasted. The Boston Scott era might’ve finally run its course after the 5-foot-6 back only had 24 offensive touches on the season.
Go
Rashaad Penny
Penny never found a role with the Eagles. It’s surprising that they kept him on the roster the entire season. He was a liability as a pass blocker, and he shouldn’t return in 2024.
Go
A.J. Brown
A.J. Brown proved himself as one of the best wide receivers in the NFL with a torrid stretch during the middle of the 2023 season. His production dipped down the stretch, but there’s no reason to think he won’t return next season.
Stay
DeVonta Smith
The Eagles will have to consider signing DeVonta Smith to a contract extension during the offseason. He is a core piece of their future.
Stay
Quez Watkins
The Eagles probably could’ve used an upgrade over Quez Watkins after his disappointing performance in Super Bowl LVII. Another underwhelming effort that included a noticeably decreased role late in the season should end his Eagles career as he enters free agency.
Go
Julio Jones
Signing one of the best wide receivers in the history of the game didn’t seem like a bad idea. However, Julio Jones doesn’t have a long-term role with the Eagles.
Go
Olamide Zaccheaus
The St. Joe’s Prep storyline sounded interesting at the beginning of 2023, but national announcers pounded it into the ground throughout the season. Zaccheaus took advantage of the opportunities he got on a one-year deal, but the Eagles never gave him enough of a role to justify signing the impending free agent to another contract.
Go
Britain Covey
Although he doesn’t play a significant role on offense, Covey offers enough value on special teams to keep a roster spot. He finished first in the NFL in punt return yards and second in punt return average in 2023.
Stay
Dallas Goedert
Goedert didn’t play as big of a role in the offense this season as he might’ve hoped. However, he’ll return as a key piece of the attack in 2024.
Stay
Jack Stoll
The Eagles trust Jack Stoll as a blocker. They’ve had chances to add a better receiving tight end behind Goedert, but they haven’t made it a priority. Until they prove differently, it’s hard to see them moving on from Stoll.
Stay
Grant Calcaterra
Calcaterra didn’t make significant progress after a strong rookie season in 2022. Without obvious competition behind Goedert, he’ll most likely return in a depth role next season.
Stay
Albert Okwuegbunam
Okwuegbunam never justified a preseason trade attempting to find better depth behind Goedert. We don’t have a picture of him in an Eagles uniform, and that tells you what you need to know.
Go
Jason Kelce
It’s finally time for Jason Kelce to hang up the cleats. The Super Bowl LVII loss had a lot to do with his decision to return in 2023, but the Eagles snuck one more All-Pro season out of their future Hall of Fame center.
Go
Lane Johnson
Lane Johnson is under contract through 2026. The Eagles will likely prioritize finding his replacement at the top of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Stay
Jordan Mailata
Mailata will return as the left tackle in 2024. He’s become a long-term building block thanks to his development at Jeff Stoutland University.
Stay
Landon Dickerson
Dickerson has exceeded expectations in three seasons with the Eagles by establishing himself as one of the best guards in the NFL. The Eagles will have to explore a contract extension for the 25-year-old.
Stay
Cam Jurgens
Jurgens transitioned to a new position in 2023. He’ll likely slide to center after Kelce’s retirement.
Stay
Sua Opeta
The Eagles kept Opeta as a backup on a one-year deal in 2024. They’re more likely to trust recent draft pick Tyler Steen as their primary backups on the interior of the offensive line moving forward. Don’t kick him out the door just yet, but he’s probably more likely to leave than to stay.
Go
Tyler Steen
Steen adjusted to a new position as a guard for his only career NFL start. The Eagles will bring him back as a depth option in development.
Stay
Jack Driscoll
If the Eagles draft an offensive tackle, they probably expect the rookie to play a role as their third tackle in 2024. Driscoll struggled against the Jets when Lane Johnson left the game with an injury, and his rookie contract has now expired. He could be a casualty of Howie Roseman’s attempt to reshape the future of the offensive line.
Go
Fred Johnson
The Eagles prioritize depth on the offensive line, and they’re confident in their ability to develop young players. A journeyman like Fred Johnson probably won’t return in 2024.
Go
