It’s widely acknowledged that Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman is skilled at managing the compensatory draft pick system in the NFL. This has led to the team benefiting from the system. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Carolina Panthers intend to interview Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson for their head coaching vacancy. Additionally, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that the Tennessee Titans have also requested an interview with Johnson.
It’s important to note that if Johnson, who is 36 years old, is hired as the coach of the Panthers or any other team, the Eagles would receive compensatory third-round selections in each of the next two NFL Drafts because he is a minority. The picks would be additional selections added to the third round as a way to address the lack of diversity in coach hirings. This system was put in place in 2020.
In this particular scenario, the Eagles would essentially be rewarded for developing Johnson, who became the offensive coordinator this season after serving as the quarterbacks coach on Nick Sirianni’s staff for two years.
What’s surprising about receiving relatively high draft picks for Johnson is that there is a general perception that he has not effectively replaced Shane Steichen, who left after the 2022 season to become the coach of the Indianapolis Colts. The Eagles’ offense has become stagnant, relying too heavily on quarterback runs and uninspired screen passes.
If Sirianni is retained for a fourth season, there’s a possibility that significant changes will be made to his staff. This could mean major changes to the defensive staff and potentially replacing Johnson as the offensive coordinator. Sirianni could take over as the play caller himself, or the Eagles could bring in a veteran for the role, such as Frank Reich.
Reich was hired last offseason as the coach of the Panthers but was fired before completing his first year due to a disastrous 1-10 start. There is speculation that owner David Tepper may have influenced the decision to select Bryce Young over C.J. Stroud with the No. 1 overall pick, which has proven to be a detrimental move.
Due to the lack of talent on the roster and the absence of a first-round pick this year, the Panthers’ head coaching position may not be an attractive job for many candidates. It’s possible that someone like Johnson, who may not be considered a hot candidate, could be a more viable option for the position.
Related: Eagles OC Brian Johnson Interviewing for NFL Head Coaching Job
There is an ongoing issue in the NFL where Black coaching candidates are given limited opportunities for advancement. Some believe that Johnson’s best long-term move would be to be a quarterbacks coach in 2024 rather than taking on the role of leading a dysfunctional team like the Panthers. However, when presented with the opportunity to lead a team, it’s difficult to turn it down, even if that team is challenging.
From the Eagles’ perspective, receiving anything in return for Johnson would seem like a huge win. Unless there is an unexpected Super Bowl run, it’s difficult to envision him returning in his current role in 2024.
