Moore to run Chargers’ offense
Kellen Moore is going from calling plays for Dak Prescott to Justin Herbert.
The Los Angeles Chargers didn't waste any time in reaching an agreement with Moore to be their next offensive coordinator. Monday's announcement came less than 24 hours after the Dallas Cowboys said Moore would not return.
Moore had spent the past eight seasons with the Cowboys, including the past four as offensive coordinator. He signed with Dallas in 2015 as a player and then joined the coaching staff in 2018, going from Prescott’s backup to his position coach.
Moore replaces Joe Lombardi, who was the Chargers' coordinator for two seasons under head coach Brandon Staley.
Moore will be the third offensive coordinator since Justin Herbert was the sixth overall pick by the Chargers in 2020. Shane Steichen directed the Chargers offense as well as being QBs coach under Anthony Lynn in 2020 before Lynn was fired at the end of the season.
Herbert was second in the league in completions (477) and passing yards (4,739) this season, but the Chargers were inconsistent on offense.
Los Angeles reached the playoffs for the first time since 2018, but lost 31-30 to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC wild-card round after the third-largest blown lead in postseason history.
Los Angeles was up 27-0 late in the second quarter before the Jaguars rallied.
Criticism about Lombardi’s play-calling increased throughout the season. The Chargers were ranked ninth in total offense, but 20th in scrimmage yards per play along with the third-worst rushing attack in the league.
Los Angeles also had the NFL’s second-biggest discrepancy between passing and running plays (65 percent pass to 35 percent run).
That is not expected to be the case under Moore. Dallas was 53 percent pass to 47 percent run last season, which was tied for the ninth-highest percentage of run plays.
Purdy suffers tear to elbow ligament
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy tore a ligament in his throwing elbow, putting his status for the start of next season in question.
A person familiar with the injury confirmed the diagnosis of the injury Purdy sustained in the NFC title game. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team has not released details on the injury.
NFL Network first reported that Purdy tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right arm and said he will seek a second opinion on whether he needs a repair or a reconstruction.
A repair of the elbow typically would lead to Purdy being sidelined for six months, which would mean he could return close to the start of training camp. A reconstruction would likely sideline Purdy into the 2023 season.
The injury against the Eagles ended a storybook season for a player taken as the final selection in the 2022 NFL draft, earning the distinction of “Mr. Irrelevant.”
Purdy got his first meaningful snaps on Dec. 4 after Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a broken foot against Miami.
Purdy led the 49ers to a 33-17 victory and then five consecutive wins to end the regular season, plus playoff victories over Seattle and Dallas.