Jason Kelce rarely speaks on the firing of coaches, but he broke his silence to support T.J. Paganetti. The former Philadelphia Eagles center posted a message on X to defend the coach who was let go by the New Orleans Saints, according to Yahoo Sports . Kelce said he does not often comment on these situations, but he felt Paganetti deserved praise for his work. This statement came right after the Saints decided to part ways with their run game coordinator during their bye week.
I don't comment on things like this often, but T.J. Is an outstanding coach. He brought a ton of value for us in Philadelphia, and was a big part of our success up front. One of my favorite coaches from my time with the Eagles. He's extremely knowledgeable, driven, and always… https://t.co/7PGX8OpGVn
— Jason Kelce (@JasonKelce) November 3, 2026
The situation in New Orleans has become difficult for the team. They are currently 2-5 on the season and struggling to run the football effectively. Head coach Kellen Moore made the call to fire Paganetti because the rushing attack was not working . Kelce, who played with Paganetti in Philadelphia, knows the value of the coach and wants to make sure the league understands what Paganetti brings to a team.
Jason Kelce wrote a heartfelt message to show his respect for T.J. Paganetti. He stated that Paganetti is an outstanding coach who brought a ton of value to the Eagles. Kelce recalled how Paganetti was a big part of their success up front during his time with the team. The former center said Paganetti is extremely knowledgeable and driven to help players succeed.
Kelce noted that Paganetti always worked hard to put players in positions to win. He wrote that he respects the coach greatly and believes any team that hires him will get a great one. This support is significant because Kelce does not usually speak out when coaches are fired. His words highlight the deep bond that formed between the players and the coaching staff during their years in Philadelphia.
The connection between Kelce and Paganetti runs deep. Paganetti served as an assistant offensive line coach for the Eagles from 2017 until 2024. During that long stretch, the offensive line became one of the best in the league. Kelce played under Paganetti's guidance for many seasons and saw firsthand how the coach prepared the line for big games.
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The decision to fire T.J. Paganetti was driven by the poor performance of the Saints' running game. According to a report by NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the running game issues were the main reason Moore made the change. The Saints have averaged just 86 rushing yards per game through the 2026 season. This number places them 28th in the entire NFL.
The yardage per carry is even worse for New Orleans. The team averages only 3.5 yards per carry, which ranks 30th among all teams. These numbers show a persistent problem that has not gone away. Starting with the 2025 season, the Saints have faced comparable problems, averaging a mere 94.3 rushing yards per game.
The lack of big plays in the running game is a major concern. From the onset of the 2025 season, Saints running backs achieved only 29 carries reaching at least 10 yards. During that period, they recorded just two runs of 20 or more yards. Both totals are the lowest in the NFL, showing how hard it is for the offense to gain momentum on the ground.
Head coach Kellen Moore did not make the decision to fire Paganetti immediately after the season started. He wanted to give the coach another chance to fix the problems. Moore and Paganetti worked together in Philadelphia, where they built a dominant offensive line. The Saints hoped they could replicate that success in New Orleans.
Moore waited for the bye week to make his move. He told the media that the break gave the team an opportunity to reflect on their performance. Moore said, "Any time you go into a bye week, you go into evaluation mode as far as identifying the things you need to work on and solving those." This evaluation led to the conclusion that the run game coordinator needed to change.
The timing of the decision shows how much patience Moore had for Paganetti. He hired Paganetti during the 2025 offseason when the team flipped its coaching staff. The struggles did not start suddenly, but Moore hoped they could turn things around. When the results did not improve, he decided it was time to make a change.
After Paganetti was fired, Saints guard David Edwards spoke to the media about the situation. The coach's departure prompted him to express regret while admitting that the players also bore responsibility for the failure. Edwards said, "You know, I wish we as players, everybody, did a better job for him." He recognized that the players did not execute well enough to help the coach.
Edwards explained that the business is performance-based and that the team has not gotten it done to the required level. He admitted that the offense failed to execute the game plan properly. This admission from a player shows that the problems were not just on the coaching side. The players knew they needed to do more to make the run game work.
The pressure on the players is high when the coaching staff changes. Edwards noted that it is hard to get results when execution is lacking. The team must find a way to improve quickly if they want to turn their season around. The firing of Paganetti is a clear signal that the team needs to find a new way to run the football.
Jason Kelce played for the Eagles from 2011 to 2023, and Paganetti was part of that journey. Paganetti served as an offensive and quarterbacks analyst for one season from 2013 to 2014. In 2017, he came back as an assistant offensive line coach, remaining in that role until 2024. This long tenure allowed him to build a strong relationship with Kelce and the rest of the line.
During their time together, the Eagles won two Super Bowls. Paganetti was a key member of the coaching staff for Super Bowl LII and Super Bowl LIX. The offensive line was a major factor in those victories, and Paganetti's work was essential to that success. Kelce knows how difficult it is to build a line that can win championships.
Kelce's praise for Paganetti is based on years of working side by side. He saw how Paganetti prepared the team for every game and how he helped the players develop. The former center believes that Paganetti's skills are rare and that he will be a great asset to any team that hires him. This history makes Kelce's support even more meaningful.
The firing of T.J. Paganetti marks a turning point for the Saints coaching staff. The team is now looking for a new run game coordinator who can fix the rushing attack. The decision came after weeks of poor performance and frustration from the coaching staff. Moore has made it clear that he expects better results from the offense.
The Saints are walking on a tightrope at 2-5. They need to find a way to improve their running game quickly to have a chance at a winning season. The loss of Paganetti is a significant change, but it is necessary for the team to succeed. The new coach will have a hard job to take over a struggling unit.
Kelce's message shows that the NFL community respects Paganetti. Even though he was fired, his reputation remains strong. The team that hires him will be getting a coach who has proven he can build a successful offensive line. This support from a former player like Kelce gives Paganetti hope for his next opportunity.
The firing of Paganetti highlights the high standards in the NFL. Coaches are expected to produce results, and when they do not, they are replaced. The Saints made a tough call to fire Paganetti, but they believe it is the right move for their team. The league is always changing, and coaches must adapt to survive.
Kelce's defense of Paganetti shows that the game is about more than just wins and losses.
