The NFL coaching carousel never stops spinning, but every once in a while, a move comes along that forces everyone to take notice. Kellen Moore’s leap into the head coaching ranks was one of those moments. For years, Moore was the quiet mastermind behind some of the league’s most efficient offenses, working in the shadows while bigger names soaked up the spotlight. But timing is everything in the NFL, and after a Super Bowl-winning season with the Philadelphia Eagles, the 36-year-old didn’t hesitate when the right opportunity came knocking.

And as the Saints welcomed their new leader, one familiar voice spoke up—someone who knows exactly what it takes to build a winner in New Orleans. But first, let’s take a little detour to another, more anticipated opinion. “Through the search process, it became clear that Kellen is the right person. To help us re-establish a winning program and culture that our fans are accustomed to and have come to expect.” That’s what Saints owner Gayle Benson had to say when she announced Kellen Moore as the new head coach.

The Saints could not be more excited to start this fresh chapter, with Moore leading the way. But it’s not just the Saints who are confident about Kellen Moore stepping into the HC role.

A former Saints HC who led them to similar success in Super Bowl XLIV shares that same belief. In a recent interview with Fox 8 News, 61-year-old Sean Payton expressed his strong stance on Moore, mentioning that he’s still close to the Saints organization and believes “they’re looking to win”. Payton shared his thoughts on new head coaches, making it clear that teams don’t view them as long shots. Instead, they hire new coaches to fix struggling teams, and that’s never an easy task.

But Payton, the current Broncos HC, believes Kellen Moore has a calm demeanor which will help him succeed as a coach. “I think Kellen has that calmness about him. I think there’s a uniqueness to that city that maybe is not for everyone. But I think he’ll do well there.” Sean Payton also appreciated the team’s owner, Mrs. Gayle Benson, saying, “I say that because of ownership, Mrs. Benson, because of the front office with those pieces in place that I was very familiar with. Those are the reasons you can have impossible jobs or good jobs. And I think, in his case, he’s got a good job.“

Well, now that we’re talking about the Broncos and the Saints, an old move from last year involving Tim Patrick also comes to mind. 

Sean Payton, Broncos, and Tim Patrick: A look back

Last year, after the preseason, the Broncos made up their mind to trade WR Tim Patrick. But, when they couldn’t find any deal for him after two seasons lost to injury, the team released him as reported in August last year. Broncos GM George Paton reflected on the decision, saying, “Just on behalf of everyone in our organization, we just can’t say enough great things about the type of player and the person Tim has been…a Bronco for the last seven seasons… What went into it is several things. We like our depth at receiver, and we liked the depth at other positions on our team.“

However, once released, Patrick shared that Sean Payton tried to force a trade with the Saints using his connections. But that deal never materialized, resulting in him being cut from the squad. Patrick also shared that after the team released him, he chose not to sit twiddling his thumbs and signed with the Lions‘ practice squad when the opportunity came. 

The team signed the 31-year-old to a one-year deal. On December 6, against the Green Bay Packers, Patrick scored his first TDs in 1,082 days, finding the end zone twice in that game. Tim finished the 2024 season with 33 receptions, 394 yards, and three TDs. This season, Detroit re-signed Patrick for another year with a $4 million deal.

Ah, the curious winding paths that different stars follow in the NFL. And the different guiding lights that lead the path to their destinies.