Longtime defensive mind Matt Patricia took over play-calling duties for the Philadelphia Eagles from defensive coordinator Sean Desai during the 2023 season.
It did not go swimmingly for Patricia and the Eagles. They finished 30th in the league in scoring defense at 25.2 points per game.
This will now lead to Patricia looking for employment elsewhere. Immediately after it was reported that Philadelphia fired Desai, indications are that Patricia will not be back with the Eagles in 2023.
“Eagles senior defensive assistant Matt Patricia is not under contract and plans to explore other opportunities,” NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport reporte on Sunday. “Patricia took on play-calling last month under difficult circumstances, running someone else’s scheme with a depleted unit. He’ll be a top DC candidate.”
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni met with owner Jeffrey Lurie late last week to discuss a plan moving forward. That includes replacing both coordinators. Sirianni was said to be on the hot seat after Philadelphia’s late-season collapse culminated in a blowout 32-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs.
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But it looks like he’ll be back for another season in Philadelphia. As for Patricia, he’ll be looking for another job. As noted in the aforementioned report, the veteran will be a top-end defensive coordinator candidate around the NFL.
Patricia, 49, worked under Bill Belichick with the New England Patriots from 2004-2017. He was then hired to be the Detroit Lions’ head coach in 2018, lasting parts of three seasons while boasting a mere 13-29-1 record.
This past season saw Patricia join the Eagles’ staff after spending two more years under Belichick in 2021-22.