The Chargers have hired former Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore as their next offensive coordinator, according to the team. Moore was with the Cowboys for four seasons as their signal caller and wanted a fresh start.
It took less than 24 hours for Moore to find a new home after he parted ways with the Cowboys despite being with the organization since 2015.
This team needed an offensive coordinator with experience, which is what they got with this hiring. The Cowboys’ offense was top ten in total passing, rushing yards, and scoring.
Moore will now be tasked with taking Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert’s game to the next level. Also, creating a playbook that will enhance and cater to what Herbert does well, which is moving in the pocket and throwing downfield.
Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said in his final presser of the 2022 season what he wanted his offense to look like under a new coordinator.
“The offenses that I think are the most challenging to defend, and the people who have been here with me, are the ones that put a lot of pressure on you every snap, in terms of marrying the run game to the pass game, putting a lot of pressure on you with personnel groupings, pace, motion, and being able to get the explosions consistently,” Staley said.
Besides how he wants his offense to play, Staley and general manager Tom Telesco said they wanted a leader. Someone who could command the offense as a whole.
“The production of our offense and (Moore’s) mentorship of Dak were at the center of Kellen’s impact, and we are grateful for his tenure and leadership,” Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said about Moore.
Moore worked closely with quarterback Dak Prescott and had him playing at an MVP level in 2022, throwing for 37 touchdowns and over 4,400 yards. Cooper Rush took over for the Cowboys this season while Prescott nursed a thumb injury. Rush had Cowboys fans split after a 4-1 record on if he should remain the starter or Prescott.
Moore doesn’t get enough credit for the way he used running backs Tony Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott. Pollard is young and fresh, so he was the 1000-yard runner, plus he added 370 receiving yards while scoring 12 total touchdowns.
Zeke is getting up there in running back years, but Moore was able to get 876 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns out of him. He mixed and matched both to their strengths.
The Chargers need more stability in the running back position. Austin Ekeler had 1,600 total yards and 18 touchdowns this season, but there wasn’t much help behind him. Moore will need to find him a running mate, someone who can help gash a defense and get the necessary yards to put teams away in the fourth.
That was one of their biggest problems this season. They couldn’t put teams away in the fourth quarter, and that is why they suffered the blown 27-0 lead against Jacksonville.
Moore is a former quarterback and climbed the ranks being a quarterback coach for one season, then moved into his coordinator role.
All eyes are now on Moore to see whom he chooses as his quarterback’s coach and how he constructs this offense for Herbert. The two have met before as they shot a commercial for Kendall Auto Group.
