The New Orleans Saints fired run game coordinator T.J. Paganetti on Monday, according to NFL.com, three days after a 16-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Paris dropped the team to 2-5. Paganetti was in his second season with the Saints when he was let go.
The move comes as New Orleans ranks 28th in the NFL in rushing yards per game at 86.0 and 30th in rushing yards per play at 3.52, numbers that have persisted despite the team investing resources in the offseason to fix a run game that struggled all of last season.
The Main Development
NFL.com reported the firing as part of its Monday news roundup, confirming Paganetti’s exit amid the Saints’ 2-5 start. No replacement has been named for the position. The timing places the decision squarely in the aftermath of the Saints’ loss to the Steelers in Paris, a game that exposed the running game’s struggles on an international stage in the first regular-season NFL contest held in the French capital.
Saints head coach Kellen Moore addressed the team’s broader self-evaluation process earlier in the week, before the firing was reported. “It’s self-scout week. Obviously, we’re going to evaluate everything,” Moore said, according to the team’s official site.
What It Means For The Offensive Staff
Firing a run game coordinator three days after a loss signals that New Orleans views the running game as something beyond a scheme tweak. The Saints managed just 17 carries for 18 yards against Pittsburgh, with running backs averaging 0.8 yards per carry and 0.0 yards before contact. Those figures point to problems up front as much as play-calling, though the sources do not specify what evaluation led the organization to move on from Paganetti.
The change also lands at a sensitive moment for Moore himself. Reporting on the Paris loss indicated Moore was on the hot seat, with another similar defeat potentially leading to his replacement by an interim coach. Removing Paganetti could reflect an attempt by Moore’s staff to show accountability for a unit that has lagged all season.
Season Context
New Orleans entered this season already trying to shake off a run game that underperformed in 2025, and the team devoted offseason resources toward fixing it. Through seven weeks, those investments have not translated into results. The Saints’ 86.0 rushing yards per game and 3.52 yards per play both rank near the bottom of the league, underscoring why the coaching staff targeted the position Paganetti oversaw.
The Paris defeat was also notable for other reasons beyond the final score. Related coverage of the Steelers vs. Saints Paris game preview and injury report detailed New Orleans dealing with absences including wide receiver Mason Tipton and offensive tackle Nick Saldiveri, both listed as out heading into the game.
What’s Next
No replacement for the run game coordinator role has been announced. Moore’s comment about self-scout week suggests the Saints are reviewing multiple areas of the roster and coaching staff, though the sources do not detail further staffing moves. New Orleans will look to snap its run-game funk in its next outing as the team continues to sit at 2-5 on the season.
Don't stop here
Every Score. Every Story. One Home.
Breaking sports, entertainment and news from across the Total Apex network, updated all day.
Get the Full Story →
