Nick Sirianni and Howie Roseman held a news conference two days after losing their offensive and defensive coordinators.
The aftermath is interesting.
Sirianni said the Eagles have great candidates to replace Shane Steichen (Colts) and Jonathan Gannon (Cardinals).
- “Shane and Jonathan were successful, not only because Shane and Jonathan are good football coaches, but also because they have good assistants. And they have good people working with them,” Sirianni said.
- “And so, I feel like we have a lot of good in-house options, which is always going to be where I start because that’s just always kind of been how I’ve learned of grooming the people that you have in attempts for when this day happens that you’re ready to go.
- “I do believe we have great options in-house, because when you’re grinding to put together a staff, you’re not just grinding to put together the offensive and defensive coordinators … The grind was getting the soldiers, getting those other guys in place that we felt really good with. A lot of good options.”
Quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson is the presumed front-runner for the offensive coordinator job. Passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson is among the leading candidates for the defensive job.
Josina Anderson, formerly of ESPN, reported the Eagles are expected to request an interview with Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.
CALLING THE PLAYS
Sirianni also said he plans to let his new offensive coordinator call the plays, as Steichen did all of 2022 and for a portion of 2021.
Sirianni said special teams coordinator Michael Clay will return for the 2023 season. Clay’s special teams had some rocky moments, including giving up a 65-yard punt return to the Chiefs’ Kadarius Toney in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl. The Eagles trailed, 28-27, when Toney’s return went to the Philly 5-yard line. Three plays later the Chiefs scored a touchdown.
HURTS’ EXTENSION
Jalen Hurts is eligible for a contract extension and you better believe the Eagles are going to pay him.
- “Obviously we want to keep our best players here for the long-term. And he’s certainly one of our best players,” Roseman said.
- “We’ll keep all the contract talks internal but we’d definitely like to keep Jalen Hurts here long-term.
- “I think we have a good sense of what we need to do here. We have a little bit of time here, too, to kind of figure it out and get away and discuss that.
- “But at the end of the day, the most important thing is keeping our best players here. And Jalen’s certainly one of our best players.”
SURGERY FOR JOHNSON
Eagles All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson underwent surgery Thursday to repair a torn adductor according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Johnson tweeted a photo of himself in his hospital bed with the caption: “Surgery time.”
He also posted a clip from “Happy Gilmore” — “Well, better luck next year.”
Johnson was injured on Christmas Eve against Dallas. He missed the final two regular season games but held off surgery to try to play through the injury in the playoffs.
Johnson was outstanding in the three playoff games, despite his injury.
His recovery time is expected to be 10-to-12 weeks, plenty of time before training camp.
EAGLES SIGN FREE AGENTS
The Eagles announced the signing of 12 free agents, all of whom were on the practice squad.
- Devon Allen, wide receiver
- Tyrie Cleveland, wide receiver
- Mario Goodrich, cornerback
- Tarron Jackson, defensive end
- Fred Johnson, offensive tackle
- Roderick Johnson, offensive tackle
- Matt Leo, Defensive end
- Sua Opeta, guard
- Tyrese Robinson, guard
- Davion Taylor, linebacker
- Greg Ward, wide receiver
- Marvin Wilson, defensive tackle
