Like many Super Bowl winning teams, the Philadelphia Eagles' coaching staff has been gutted less than two weeks into the offseason. With offensive coordinator Frank Reich interviewing for a number of head coaching jobs, the Eagles hoped to promote quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo to the role. However, he wanted an opportunity to call plays (which wouldn't happen under head coach Doug Pederson), so he took the offensive coordinator job with the Minnesota Vikings instead.
Briefly, it appeared Reich might stay, but he ultimately took the head coaching job with the Indianapolis Colts, leaving Philadelphia without their OC and his heir apparent.
Rather than bring in a candidate from outside the organization or promote another assistant to the role, the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the Eagles currently don't plan to hire a new offensive coordinator. Rapoport adds that running backs coach Duce Staley and wide receivers coach Mike Groh could receive promotions, but they would likely be to run game coordinator and passing game coordinator, respectively.
Groh was considered as a candidate for the quarterbacks coach job, but offensive quality control & assistant quarterbacks coach Press Taylor was promoted instead.
In a sense, Pederson can be the de facto offensive coordinator given that he calls the plays, but losing Reich and DeFilippo will undoubtedly take a toll heading into next season. Pederson and Eagles personnel have praised both men for their contributions to game-planning and the structure of the offense as a whole.
Rapoport didn't completely shut the door on Philadelphia eventually hiring an offensive coordinator, but for now, it appears more likely that Staley and Groh will share responsibilities of the role with Pederson leading the show.
Follow Us
Subscribe