If the Philadelphia Eagles blow the NFC East lead as their defense continues to struggle, heads could soon roll and the unit may get a complete overhaul in 2024.
Due to the Eagles’ outstanding success in 2022 by reaching and nearly winning the Super Bowl, it should come as no surprise that other teams wanted a piece of that magic. In the offseason, two of their top coaches were poached when offensive coordinator Shane Steichen and defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon took head coaching jobs with other teams.
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It is never easy to replace coordinators that had the sort of success that Steichen and Gannon did, but heading into the 2023 season head coach Nick Sirianni seemed to have a lot of confidence in new offensive coordinator Brian Johnson and his defensive counterpart Sean Desai.
Over the first 11 weeks of the season, it seemed like both men would be able to fill the roles adequately. However, things have changed quickly as they have lost four of their last five and control of the NFC East. Furthermore, the defense — which was a strength last season — has been frustratingly bad at times in 2023 and it cost Desai his playcalling duties in Week 13.
Philadelphia Eagles could completely give Matt Patricia keys to the defense in 2024
Now, a playoff game at home is no longer a guarantee heading into Week 18, and Sports Illustrated NFL insider Albert Breer believes if they lose the division and don’t go deep in the playoffs, the Eagles defense will get a complete overhaul next season.
“One thing seems certain, and that’s if Dallas wins the division next week (all the Cowboys have to do is beat the Commanders), and Philly bows out in the first round of the playoffs, significant changes will come on defense.
“I’d think Matt Patricia, who’s running a scheme that’s not his would get consideration to oversee that change next year. But I’d expect Philly to look outside the organization, too. And it’ll be interesting to see whether [General Manager] Howie Roseman’s love for Vic Fangio’s scheme remains after Sean Desai’s version of it failed.”
-Albert Breer
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Patricia took over play-calling duties when Desai lost the job a few weeks ago. He was the defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots for six seasons before eventually landing the head coach job with the Detroit Lions. But he was out of Motown after just three seasons and back in New England as an offensive assistant last season.