Every new head coach gets their honeymoon period—until reality shows up in cleats. For Kellen Moore, that moment may have arrived sooner than expected. The clipboard’s still fresh in his hands, the schemes still on the whiteboard, but the Saints’ carefully drawn plan is already unraveling. In the NFL, optimism is easy—until your starting quarterback goes down, your protection cracks, and the clock starts ticking toward draft day. Suddenly, you’re not just drawing up plays. You’re rewriting the script entirely.
Initially, Moore was unsure whether he wanted to start Derek Carr as the team’s quarterback. But over time, he grew confident. What he didn’t know then was that he’d have to start looking for alternatives sooner than expected. Carr injured his shoulder, and his status is now up in the air. He was seen as the key to a 2025 comeback—but his absence will be tough to fill. In this scenario, the Saints head coach is now forced to explore options in free agency or the draft.
The best bet among available quarterbacks could be Lamar Jackson’s former teammate, Tyler Huntley. And right now, that’s Kellen Moore’s biggest headache. The 2022 Pro Bowler has played five seasons, logging a 5–9 record across 25 games (14 starts). He has completed 307 of 475 passes (64.6% completion rate) for 2,786 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. A veteran is also available—but he has his own agenda to pursue.
The Saints could explore talks with 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers. But Rodgers isn’t willing to commit to any team that’s not a legitimate Super Bowl contender (just ask the Steelers). There’s also the risk of losing another QB to injury. The Jets experienced that firsthand in 2023 when Rodgers went down in the first game of the season—a gut punch for Gang Green.
Moore may also look toward the draft. The Saints hold the 9th overall pick in the first round. The top available prospect is Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders. However, it’s unclear if Sanders wants to play for them. Earlier, he expressed interest in the New York Giants. When they failed to show clarity, he shifted focus to the Steelers. Jaxson Dart and Tyler Shough are a couple of other names that could be on Moore’s shopping list.
While the quarterback position remains unresolved, the Saints also need to address their offensive line. They’re reportedly exploring the addition of a veteran lineman.
Kellen Moore interested in a Chargers veteran
“I’ve been preparing for this my entire life. I feel ready,” Moore said in February. Now, the time has come to put it into action with changes on both offense and defense. According to Pro Football Network, the Saints have been linked to Los Angeles Chargers offensive lineman Trey Pipkins.
Moore’s past connection with the lineman could also play a crucial role in a potential trade. The Saints’ head coach served as the Chargers’ offensive coordinator in 2023 before moving to the Eagles in 2024. Pipkins has played 84 games (56 starts) over his six-year NFL career and brings experience at both tackle spots as well as right guard.
Image credits: Social media, taken from Instagram @Trey Pipkins
He signed a three-year, $21.75 million deal in 2023, tying him to the Chargers through 2025. Following a series of roster moves, L.A. currently has $27 million in cap space. So, will they look to free up more by restructuring contracts?
They’ll need to act quickly—there are just five days left until the NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
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