After an incredibly disappointing finish to the 2023 NFL season, the Philadelphia Eagles have completely overhauled their coaching staff in an attempt to build towards 2024.
After starting 10-1 and looking like the Super Bowl contenders everyone envisioned, the Eagles went 1-5 to finish the season and lost in the first round of the playoffs to the 9-8 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Questions arose about the status of head coach Nick Sirianni, offensive coordinator Brian Johnson, and new defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. Many expected all three to be let go, for various reasons. Sirianni, the head coach, is the first to blame when a collapse of this magnitude occurs. Johnson, the offensive play caller, oversaw a struggling offense, even though it was loaded with stars and playmakers. And Patricia, the defensive play caller, took over for former defensive coordinator Sean Desai in December and the defense played significantly worse because of it.
The first to go were both defensive coordinators from this past season, Patricia and Desai. Desai was fired and Patricia, who was only under contract for one season, was not asked to extend his contract.
The Eagles then swiftly hired accomplished coach Vic Fangio to lead the defense. Fangio previously helped the Eagles in an advisory capacity andd served as the Miami Dolphins’ defensive coordinator for this season. But when they had a vacancy at the coordinator position this offseason, Fangio requested to leave the Miami Dolphins and join the Eagles. He should help lead a group that is much better than what was shown on the field this year.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Eagles decided to fire Brian Johnson, who took over as offensive coordinator this season after former OC Shane Steichen took a head coaching job with the Indianapolis Colts. Johnson rose all the way up to offensive coordinator after joining as a QB coach, and there were high hopes for his play calling abilities. Those did not come into fruition and the offense took a major step back this year.
The Eagles ended up making a splash hire, getting former Cowboys and Chargers OC Kellen Moore to take on the same role in Philadelphia. Moore is a rising star in the coaching field and many have declared him a future head coach. He will look to add more motion and different route trees to this Eagles offense that, with the right scheme, should be elite next season.
The elephant in the room is the return of Sirianni. Many believe he should have been let go after such a big breakdown this season, but owner Jeffery Lurie and GM Howie Rosmean decided to have him return and hire a whole new staff.
It is yet to be seen how this new coaching staff will fare with this Eagles roster, but there is no doubt these changes were needed. The team had too much talent to not win even a single playoff game, and the hope is a fresh set of voices in the locker room can help lead the charge for a more successful 2024 season.