Nick Sirianni has had a commendable 34-17 regular season record as the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles and has led them to the playoffs in all three seasons. The highlight of his coaching career was reaching the Super Bowl in 2022. However, the disappointing 32-9 loss to the Buccaneers in the wild-card round has put Sirianni’s future with the Eagles in question as the owners, Jeffrey Lurie and Howie Roseman, begin the process of evaluating the coaching staff.
The Eagles’ Next Steps: What Comes Next?
Regardless of his past achievements, the recent loss to the Buccaneers has raised doubts about Sirianni’s ability to lead the team, especially as it marked the second time in three years that a Todd Bowles defense has stymied Jalen Hurts and the Eagles offense. The inability to adjust to a blitzing defense could be the final nail in Sirianni’s tenure with the team.
The coaching cycle for the upcoming season is filled with promising young and experienced coaches who specialize in innovative offensive strategies that utilize motion, scheming players open, and making adjustments to defenses. With the potential for Sirianni’s departure or firing, there are several head coaching candidates that the Eagles could target. Here are some of the top names on the list:
Bobby Slowik – Slowik, the 36-year-old offensive coordinator for the Houston Texans, is a rising star from the Kyle Shanahan coaching tree. He has had a dominant first year guiding the Texans’ offense, helping turn rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud into a standout player.
Frank Smith – Smith has been the offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins and has led one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL over the past two seasons. His ability to direct a high-powered offense could make him an ideal choice for the Eagles if they decide to part ways with Sirianni.
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Ben Johnson – Currently the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, Johnson has been innovative in his approach and has guided the Lions’ offense to be a top-five unit for two consecutive seasons. His ability to optimize the talents of his players could be an attractive quality for the Eagles.
Mike Macdonald – As the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, Macdonald has led one of the most prolific defenses in the league, finishing first in scoring defense in 2023. Macdonald, at just 36 years old, has earned a reputation for his work with the Ravens and could be a strong contender for the Eagles’ head coaching position.
Joe Brady – Since taking over as the interim offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills, Brady has rejuvenated the team’s offense, posting a 6-1 record. His innovative approach could make him a promising candidate for the Eagles’ head coaching position.
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Brian Callahan – Callahan, the offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals, has excelled in his role and has been named one of the top offensive coordinators in the NFL. His ties to coaching luminaries like Sean McVay and his success in Cincinnati could make him a sought-after candidate.
Mike Vrabel – Vrabel, the head coach of the Tennessee Titans, has a commendable coaching record and has led the team to the AFC Championship in 2019. His offensive acumen could make him an attractive candidate for the Eagles.
Todd Monken – Monken, the offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, has had a significant impact on the team’s offense, and could be a strong candidate for the Eagles’ head coaching position.
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Raheem Morris – Morris, the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, had a key role in helping the team win Super Bowl LVI. His defensive expertise could be valuable for the Eagles.
Shane Waldron – An offensive-minded coach from the Sean McVay coaching tree, Waldron has added explosive elements to the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive scheme and could be a promising option for the Eagles.
Bill Belichick – The head coach of the New England Patriots has an illustrious coaching career and could be an intriguing option for the Eagles if they are willing to take a chance on a seasoned head coach.
20 players will become free agents in March.
As the Eagles look ahead to the upcoming season, the decision on whether to retain Nick Sirianni or pursue a new head coach will be a crucial one. With a solid pool of talented coaching candidates available, the Eagles have the opportunity to make a significant change in their coaching staff and position the team for future success.
