The Philadelphia Eagles returned to work on Wednesday, and offensive coordinator Brian Johnson addressed the media about the team’s preparation for facing blitzes and the development of quarterback Jalen Hurts. Johnson also briefly commented on rumors linking him to the head coaching job with the Carolina Panthers, but he remained focused on the upcoming playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Johnson emphasized that the health of the players is always considered when preparing for a game, but the team’s primary focus is on the postseason and executing their game plan at a high level. The urgency to perform well in the playoffs is recognized by everyone involved with the Eagles.

In addition to these points, the offensive coordinator shared further insights:

On reports he is up for Panthers HC job

“I have no comment. All of my focus is about this week and we got a great opportunity, with a special group of people, to go out there and put on a great performance against Tampa Bay. And, that’s where all of our focus and energy is at the moment.”

When asked about the potential Panthers interview, Johnson declined to provide any details and reiterated his commitment to preparing for the upcoming game on Monday night.

He did, however, praise head coach Nick Sirianni as a great resource and someone with whom he has developed a strong relationship since joining the team.

On preparing for the blitz

Johnson highlighted the responsibility of the coaching staff to equip the players with the tools and knowledge required to execute their roles effectively. He credited the New York Giants for presenting unique challenges in their previous game and emphasized the importance of learning from those experiences.

The offensive coordinator also discussed the expertise of Todd Bowles, the defensive coordinator of the Buccaneers, in coaching blitz packages. He acknowledged the complexity of the Buccaneers’ defensive schemes and stressed the Eagles’ need to be precise in identifying and countering the various blitz packages.

On Jalen Hurts

When asked about Hurts’ development, Johnson described the quarterback as a consistent and respected leader within the team. He noted that Hurts’ experiences have contributed to his growth and emphasized the importance of his unwavering commitment to his goals.

“But, I think he’s a guy whose teammates have a ton of respect for, and he’s a guy that’s extremely consistent, day in and day out. Being the same guy every day, holding himself to the same standard — to the same foundational goals that he’s had since he’s been a youngster.”

Furthermore, Johnson highlighted Hurts’ recent performance, stating that the quarterback has been playing clean football and displaying strong decision-making in recent weeks.

“To be completely honest with you, I think the last couple of weeks, Jalen [Hurts] has been playing some really, really clean football in terms of what he’s seeing, what he’s processing, how he’s looking at it. We just gotta continue to make the most of every possession, and put ourselves in the situations where we’re not getting behind the sticks, where we’re not putting ourselves in some unfavorable situations.”

Other notables

• Johnson discussed the defensive strategies employed by various teams and noted that many teams are using shell coverages to limit explosive plays, a trend not exclusive to the Eagles.
• He also evaluated the Buccaneers’ defense, acknowledging their improved health and experience as key factors in their effectiveness. Johnson praised their coaching staff and veteran players.
• Additionally, Johnson provided insight into his role within the team, highlighting the collaborative nature of the quarterback room and the contributions of players like Hurts and backup quarterback Marcus Mariota.