Updated Feb. 4, 2026, 10:21 p.m. CT<\/p>\n
There aren’t many assistant coaches in the NFL more widely respected than Jeff Stoutland. The longtime offensive line coach for the Philadelphia Eagles<\/a> became something of a local hero for his work developing late-round draft picks and undrafted rookies into some of the finest starters of their generation. When the New Orleans Saints<\/a> hired Kellen Moore from the Eagles last year, we said he should work hard to bring Stoutland with him<\/a>. Stoutland chose to stay with the Eagles for 2025, but now it’s 2026, and with wide-ranging changes coming to the Eagles coaching staff, he’s stepping away.<\/p>\n Stoutland wrote an emotional goodbye to Philadelphia on social media<\/a>: “I\u2019ve decided my time coaching with the Eagles has come to an end. When I arrived here in 2013, I did not know what I was signing up for. I quickly learned what this city demands. But more importantly, what it gives back. The past 13 years have been the great privilege of my coaching career. I didn\u2019t just work here, I became one of you.”<\/p>\n Our take remains the same: Stoutland’s first phone call should be from Moore, offering him a blank check to come coach the offensive line in New Orleans. The Saints already hired Stoutland’s protege T.J. Paganetti last offseason<\/a> as their run game coordinator, and there are other familiar faces in the building he worked with in Philly. It could be an appealing destination.<\/p>\n We’ll see what Stoutland plans for 2026. He might take some time off, or he could retire. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo<\/a> reports that, for now, the plan is for Stoutland “to have some sort of involvement” with the Eagles but that he will “absolutely” receive interest from other teams. Garafolo adds that “They’ve smelled blood in the water for quite some time and are interested in him.” But there isn’t anyone better qualified to develop Taliese Fuaga, Kelvin Banks Jr., and the New Orleans offensive line. And having an in or two with him already gives the Saints an advantage.<\/p>\n