Saints Fire Run-Game Coordinator T.J. Paganetti After 18-Carry Game
Head coach Kellen Moore dismissed the coordinator following a season where New Orleans ranks 28th in rushing yards per game despite major free-agent spending.
By Karan Meyer ·
The New Orleans Saints finished their most recent contest with 18 rushing yards on 17 attempts against the Pittsburgh Steelers. That performance sealed the departure of run-game coordinator T.J. Paganetti, who was fired by head coach Kellen Moore upon the team's return from the bye week.
A source familiar with the decision confirmed the dismissal. The Saints currently rank 28th in the National Football League in rushing yards per game. This standing mirrors their position from the previous season, indicating a persistent struggle to move the ball on the ground.
Paganetti joined Moore’s initial staff in 2025. The two worked together in Philadelphia, where Paganetti served as the assistant offensive line coach for the Eagles under Jeff Stoutland. This firing represents Moore’s first major personnel change among his coaching staff. The second-year coach previously kept his entire group intact during the offseason, prioritizing continuity over new hires.
The decision comes despite substantial financial investment in the position group. During free agency, the Saints signed former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne to a four-year contract worth $48 million. They also secured former Buffalo Bills guard David Edwards on a four-year deal valued at $61 million. New Orleans also shifted its strategy to include more outside zone blocking schemes, believing those plays aligned with the roster's strengths.
The strategy has not produced expected results. Etienne has not played since Week 3 after sustaining a hamstring injury that placed him on injured reserve. His replacements have struggled to gain yardage. The team retained Alvin Kamara, its all-time leading rusher, but he has recorded just 125 yards on 41 carries. That average stands at three yards per attempt.
Kendre Miller leads the squad in carries but averages 2.8 yards per attempt. That figure ranks as the third-worst mark in the league among running backs with at least 40 rushing attempts. Paganetti worked alongside offensive line coach Brendan Nugent to design the weekly rushing plan. Moore indicated he might alter the staff after a game in Paris where the Saints rushed for their fewest yards since 1999.
