The frustration of having a great football team is the poaching of coaches and coordinators when the season ends. Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen is no more and is headed to Indianapolis, replacing Jeff Saturday as head coach.
Under Steichen, the Eagles boasted one of the better-rushing offenses in the league during his two-year tenure. Jalen Hurts made strides in passing, and the Eagles were top 10 in passing in 2022. Steichen’s creativity and passion will be tough to replace, but there are multiple options that can help keep the Eagles’ offense intact going into 2023. Let’s look at the pros and cons of each.
Brian Johnson, Quarterbacks Coach, Philadelphia Eagles
Brian Johnson was hired as a part of Nick Sirianni’s staff in 2021, and since then has made excellent strides with quarterback Jalen Hurts. According to Adam Schefter, Johnson as the next Eagles offensive coordinator is all but done, stating, “You can take that to the bank.” However, nothing is official aand i’s likely that the Eagles keep their eyes open until then.
PROS:
- Johnson has plenty of experience as an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, shown in stints at Utah, Mississippi State, Houston, Florida, and now the Philadelphia Eagles. He has played the position himself and understands reads and progressions.
- Johnson has known Hurts since Hurts was four years old, even trying to recruit him during his time in Florida. A promotion to offensive coordinator for Johnson is likely to make Hurts very happy, as he is comfortable with him. Hurts has spoken highly of Johnson, seeing him as family, and crediting him with his success. It’s no coincidence Hurts had a “Josh Allen-esque” jump with Johnson on his coaching staff in year two.
- Learning under Steichen, Johnson would likely run a similar system. This benefits the current Eagles offense, one likely to return a majority of the same players. Johnson’s hire is likely the most seamless transition.
- According to Schefter, Johnson is definitely a hot name around the NFL. At least 6 teams are coveting him. He’s seen as one of the best young offensive minds at the moment. This is also the most popular and likely choice for the Eagles, given familiarity for the other players as well.
CONS:
- One could argue promoting Johnson would be a rushed move, and the Eagles wouldn’t be doing themselves justice without a thorough search.
- Johnson’s offensive coordinator positions were only at the college level. We don’t know what he’s fully capable of as an offensive game planner.
Kevin Patullo, Pass Game Coordinator, Philadelphia Eagles
Kevin Patullo was also hired as a part of Nick Sirianni’s staff in 2021. Under him, the Eagles passing offense ranked top 10 in multiple categories, where AJ Brown and Devonta Smith had their best seasons.
PROS:
- Like coach Johnson, Patullo is familiar with the Eagles’ offense, Shane Steichen’s system, and the Eagles’ skill players. He has also played quarterback and wide receiver in college.
- Patullo’s experience is exclusively on offense and has a larger NFL resume than Brian Johnson. He has experience as an offensive assistant, offensive quality control coach, wide receivers coach, quarterbacks coach, and passing game specialist/coordinator.
- He’s even had experience at the college level in a stint at Texas A&M, where he was a senior offensive analyst. As an NFL coach, he’s been with the Chiefs, Bills, Titans, Jets, Colts, and Eagles. He also has experience with Nick Sirianni, in a previous stint in Indianapolis together.
CONS:
- Although he has coached in the NFL since 2007, Patullo has no experience as an offensive coordinator on the professional level, and his scheme type and coaching style are unknown.
- Patullo is not a first option, would be a fallback and an underwhelming choice at that.
Marcus Brady, Offensive Consultant, Philadelphia Eagles
Marcus Brady was brought on as an offensive consultant by the Eagles in November of 2022, shortly after he was fired by the Indianapolis Colts.
PROS:
- Brady has coached in the Canadian Football League on multiple teams, with experience coaching wide receivers, and as an offensive coordinator. He would go on to coach quarterbacks with the Colts, becoming their offensive coordinator a year later. The Eagles quarterback and wide receivers would be the best he’s ever coached, and it’s not close.
- He coached with Nick Sirianni in Indianapolis for three years and is familiar with his coaching styles and philosophies. Although he didn’t call plays in Indianapolis, he has experience with play design and game planning.
CONS:
- The 2022 Indianapolis Colts offense was one of the worst in the NFL in yards gained and points scored, an offense where Brady was the coordinator. One could argue that it was due to an aging Matt Ryan and inconsistent skill players, but the lack of creativity in the Colts’ offense is very alarming.
- The Eagles’ offense was already top 10 in multiple categories before Brady was added in late 2022. One could question what he has actually added, or if he’s even had an impact since his arrival.
- He arguably has the least experience of the Eagles’ offensive coordinator candidates. An offensive coordinator generally calls plays, which he didn’t do in Indianapolis.
Who would you like the Eagles to hire to be the offensive coordinator for the 2023 season?
