“They’re too talented” This year the Philadelphia Eagles are soaring high and it’s no wonder. They are at 14-3 and have won the NFC East division title and they’re as polished as ever entering the playoffs. Jalen Hurts has been MVP-caliber, Saquon Barkley has been the man of the match, and the offense as a whole has been nothing short of impossible. All things aerial and especially on-ground, they got you covered.

But while the Eagles prepare for a wild Divisional Round showdown with the Los Angeles Rams, there is drama on the other side of the ball. The Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore just interviewed with the Cowboys (yes, the Cowboys, their arch-rivals) for head coach. And, let’s just say Eagles fans aren’t too happy about the timing.

Did they have to do it right now?

Rob Maaddi, AP Senior NFL Writer, quickly noted the anger among Eagles’ fans with the interview. “Yeah, they are not happy about that, and I think there’s a valid reason too,” Maaddi told Kay Adams. He said that the NFL now has regulations restricting interviews to three hours, but there isn’t any rule preventing them during the playoffs. This oversight is a major concern for the Eagles. Kellen Moore has been forced or has chosen to rotate between working on a divisional playoff game and interviewing for a head coaching position. 

Maaddi also lamented Moore’s interview timing: “Even if it’s a virtual interview, Kellen More has got to prepare for that interview. You can’t only do Monday or Tuesday. I feel like this rule should be tweaked.”

“I think the Eagles fans are angry about this and upset about this and have a valid point here. You got two days before the biggest game in the season and your offense coordinator some of his play calling was a bit questionable,” he said of Moore’s game against the Green Bay Packers. Fans fear it will keep Moore’s attention elsewhere, and the outcome of the crucial match may reflect it. Maaddi encapsulated the validity of Eagles‘ concerned shrieks: “You need him on his game and he’s going to have to take his time away. Here’s another part of that, they are interviewing Leslie Frazier, I think, on Monday. And someone else tomorrow. Like why can’t those interviews be switched? Why can’t Kellen Moore do it on Monday as opposed to Friday?”

“They are not happy and they got valid reasons,” Maaddi said, acknowledging that Eagles fans are understandably furious. “I think the Eagles fans are angry about this and upset about this… the Cowboys, even though they can’t get to the playoffs themselves, they’re still trying to mess with the Philadelphia Eagles.” Dallas went 7-10 and lost out on the playoffs this year. But they seem intent on putting a wrench in the Eagles’ prospects for the divisional-round game, one way or another.

Okay, so imagine the Eagles’ 2023 offense was kind of like a pleasant drive — nothing to complain about, nothing to get you too excited. In the regular season, they registered 368.1 yards (225.5 passing, 128.8 rushing) and 25.5 points on average, utilizing fewer running plays. They racked up 2,190 rushing yards and 3,834 yards passing yards with 149 and 197 first downs gained, respectively. Kellen Moore came in for 2024 and, just like that, the drive went turbo. The offensive train got into high gear, grinding out 6,242 yards and a league-high 3,048 rushing yards. Touchdowns? They jumped from 49 to 54, Moore’s play-calling injecting a spark of ingenuity to every drive. To have Moore go would be to lose that amazing DJ who kept the party popping. Let’s just say, the Moore-guided Eagles were not just playing football, they were making art.

Kellen Moore: The architect behind the Eagles’ offensive renaissance

Thanks to Kellen Moore, the offensive coordinator guiding their slugfest, the Eagles have become the most run-first team in the NFL. Under him, they’ve managed nearly as many first downs by rushing (164) as much by passing (168 snaps). In his tenure, the offense has posted a well-balanced attack with 1,398 rushing and 4,092 passing yards. It’s a gamble that has paid off. Running back Saquon Barkley has excelled in a plan that has echoed Christian McCaffrey’s breakout season for the 49ers.

The Eagles have a recipe to frustrate defenses under his watch. Moore’s influence extends beyond the run game. He has added a dynamic passing game to his neutral ground operation offense. That has given the Eagles the ability to get everything right. It’s a great evolution of his 2021 offense as the Cowboys’ OC. This regular season, the Eagles offense registered more yards per game (386.2) and points per game (27.2). It also had a much greater rushing component (179.3 yards per game) almost level with passing (187.9 yards per game).

Kellen Moore’s previous stint with the Dallas Cowboys was nothing if not a transformation story. In 2015, he started as a backup quarterback for a short but storied playing career. In the two games that he did get to play, he threw for 779 yards and four touchdowns. Then he turned the script on his head and became a coach. He became the Cowboys offensive coordinator in 2019 and that’s when things got wild.

His team transformed into an unstoppable force on offense. They lead the NFL in yards and scores in 2019 and 2021. And scored more points than any other team in 2021. Moore’s offense was among the most potent in the league thanks to his creative play calling and unlocking of talent at his disposal. If the Eagles lose him to the Cowboys now, they don’t just lose an important piece of the puzzle, they give their biggest rivals a leg up. On the whole, Kellen Moore has made a big difference for the Eagles. He has given the offense a fresh look and created one of the most potent units in the NFL.

It won’t surprise anyone if Philly loses the NFC Divisional Round to the Rams. Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, and co: those guys are a great group. But knowing Dallas had a hand despite not being in the playoffs, will rub salt into Eagles’ wounds. No matter what happens, in Moore’s words, “At the end of the day, it was a great start.“