The Philadelphia Eagles Announce the Firing of Defensive Coordinator Sean Desai
With their season over after losing six of their last seven games following a 10-1 start, the Eagles have made the call to let go defensive coordinator Sean Desai, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. For a time, both of the team’s coordinators seemed destined to leave for greener pastures, but following a brutal closing stretch, Desai will likely be aiming to land another coordinator job.
Sources: #Eagles coach Nick Sirianni has let go defensive coordinator Sean Desai, who lost play-calling duties late in the season.
Desai is likely to be in the mix for other DC opportunities.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 21, 2024
The move is mostly ceremonial, as Desai had already been demoted, losing play-calling duties to senior defensive assistant Matt Patricia. Desai was demoted after two straight losses following the 10-1 start; the team would go 1-4 the rest of the way with Patricia calling plays. Desai still retained the defensive coordinator title while remaining with the team in a different capacity, but having lost the responsibility he was hired to take, Desai became expendable in Philadelphia.
Before his time with the Eagles, Desai was the Bears’ defensive coordinator in 2021, a season in which Chicago finished sixth in terms of total defense, though it’s points per game and defensive DVOA rankings were not quite as impressive. When head coach Matt Nagy was let go at the end of the 2021 season, his defensive-minded replacement, Matt Eberflus, elected not to retain Desai, who subsequently became associate head coach and defensive assistant for the Seahawks.
Still, Desai’s one season of relative success as defensive coordinator and his long track record as a defensive assistant at the collegiate and NFL levels made him a popular defensive coordinator target in the 2023 hiring cycle. He ended up taking interviews with five different clubs before ultimately choosing the Eagles and becoming the replacement for Jonathan Gannon, who left Philadelphia to take the Cardinals’ head coaching gig.
As expected, the Eagles fired defensive coordinator Sean Desai. (@RapSheet first)
Over the last week, both Howie Roseman & Nick Sirianni have been reaching out to available coordinators, including former Giants DC Wink Martindale and former Falcons DC Ryan Nielsen. There are more— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 22, 2024
Desai’s departure was mostly expected as general manager Howie Roseman and head
Nick Sirianni did the firing, NFL sources said, another indication that the #Eagles HC will likely be returning.
The Desai departure was obvious, as will be Patricia likely joining him. More changes will be coming to Sirianni’s staff.
OC Brian Johnson is currently interviewing… https://t.co/w245we5kOT
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) January 22, 2024
coach Nick Sirianni have reportedly been reaching out to other coordinator candidates throughout the week, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic. This has all come after Sirianni met with owner Jeffrey Lurie about his own future. Between the calls to potential new coordinators and Siranni reportedly firing Desai himself, per Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, it’s looking more and more like Sirianni’s job is safe for at least another year.
When looking to replace Desai, it appears that the team has reached out former Giants defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale and former Falcons defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen. The Eagles have also been reaching out to offensive coordinator candidates, with Brian Johnson interviewing for multiple head coaching opportunities. Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter has been mentioned as a potential replacement.
