The Philadelphia Eagles’ coaching search for a new offensive coordinator to replace Kevin Patullo has seen at least four interviewed candidates either take other jobs or stay with their respective teams. As the club moves on to other options, there is some insight into why so many coaches seem to be looking elsewhere.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport described the Eagles’ offensive coordinator vacancy as the “ultimate boom or bust” job. While the team is not necessarily the issue, coaches around the league do not seem to like the environment created by the fan base and media.
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“There are jobs that are not as attractive and its the team’s fault, but this isn’t the Eagles fault. It’s the media, it’s the fans, it’s the environment…on the other hand, if you crush it you’ll be a HC very quickly, Kellen Moore can attest”
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network on why the Philadelphia Eagles have lost out on offensive coordinator targets
In late November, an individual found Patullo’s residence and vandalized his house in New Jersey. Eagles players were also repeatedly asked about the play-calling on a regular basis by reporters, with quotes from the locker room often used to suggest that the players had turned on Patullo and wanted him gone.
It is also the second time in recent years that public and media pressure led to a coaching change. In January 2024, the Eagles fired offensive coordinator Brian Johnson when the offense struggled and outside voices turned Johnson’s job performance into a focal point of the team’s issues.
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There are, of course, success stories. Former Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen of the Indianapolis Colts and Kellen Moore of the New Orleans Saints turned great season-long performances into head-coaching jobs. So, any prospective candidate who takes over play-calling duties in Philadelphia would have a shot at becoming a coveted NFL coaching candidate next offseason.
However, the media spectacle that surrounds the job and the constant criticism that comes with it—while much less of that is directed toward the players—seems to have pushed the likes of Mike McDaniel, Charlie Weis Jr., Bobby Slowik and Mike Kafka to other coaching jobs.
If Brian Daboll winds up taking the Buffalo Bills head-coaching job or becomes offensive coordinator for another franchise, Philadelphia could be left with someone like Matt Nagy or Josh Grizzard. Both offensive coordinators were not retained this offseason by their respective teams after they missed the playoffs.
