On Wednesday, two of the Eagles top targets for their open Offensive Coordinator role were seemingly taken off the market.
According to multiple reports, Mike McDaniel has agreed to join the Los Angeles Chargers to become their next offensive coordinator.
Brian Daboll interviewed with the Buffalo Bills for their head coaching job, but according to Dianna Russini, Daboll is expected to join the Tennessee Titans as their offensive coordinator if he doesn’t land the Bills’ job.
The two former head coaches, who were once viewed as ideal options to replace former offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, for all intents and purposes, passed on coming to Philadelphia.
This begs the question: Is the role really that unattractive to prospective candidates?
To answer that question, you have to start by examining the state of the Eagles organization.
They’re a year removed from winning a Super Bowl. They’re coming off a division title and a first-round playoff exit.
On paper, they boast one of the league’s top offenses as far as personnel is concerned. They’re quarterbacked by a former Super Bowl MVP, in Jalen Hurts. Their running back is a former NFC Offensive Player of the Year and has run for over 3,100 yards over the last two seasons.
At receiver, they’re led by a 3-time All-Pro and a former Heisman trophy winner. Along their offensive line, they possess one of the league’s premier units (pending health).
Defensively, they’re firmly among the upper echelon of the NFL, and they’re coordinated by the Godfather of modern NFL defenses, Vic Fangio.
Front office-wise, you can look across the NFL landscape, and you’ll find a Howie Roseman connection at or near the top of a handful of organizations (Cleveland, Chicago, Las Vegas, Pittsburgh, and the Denver Broncos, to name a few).
Not to mention the fact that the last two external offensive coordinator hires in Philadelphia have gone on to receive head coaching jobs.
At face value, all of this points towards a job that should be among the most attractive openings in football.
And yet, here we are.
Arbitrarily referring to the opening as unattractive may be hyperbole, but there are factors at hand that make the role complex for prospective candidates.
Philadelphia sports has a reputation of being a bit of a ticking time bomb sometimes. Between fans and media alike, the noise has a tendency to be suffocating at times. Before, during, and after games, the culture of accountability reigns supreme. It’s one of the most vocal and outspoken environments throughout the entire NFL landscape.
Potential offensive coordinators recognize this. They recognize the level of scrutiny former offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo faced day in and day out last season.
On Wednesday, former NFL offensive lineman and current color commentator, Ross Tucker discussed how this all factors into the Eagles search for a coordinator.
“And this is where I think sometimes a little bit the passion – I guess I will call it – of the Philly fans and media probably hurts the Eagles a little bit in some of these scenarios,” Tucker said.
“The way Patullo was treated, let’s just say this – anybody that’s a coach in the NFL is very well aware of what it is like to be in Philadelphia in general, to be the offensive coordinator in particular,” Tucker continued.
Once all of all of this is considered, prospective candidates also have to consider that while on paper, the personnel on offense is clearly talented, there are still several questions that need to be answered.
Questions about the future of perennial All-Pro tackle Lane Johnson loom. The health and future of the entire offensive line is also in question after a shaky 2025 season.
The status of A.J. Brown, and whether or not Brown will be on the roster next season is in question. Brown’s outspoken nature dominated the news cycle during the season.
And what exactly is the plan at the third wide receiver position, as Jahan Dotson is scheduled to hit free agency.
Then there’s the quarterback component. Jalen Hurts has run a similar offense throughout his career (although, play-calling and the overall identity of the offense has shifted on a year-to-year basis), and any potential coordinator must consider the 6th year signal caller’s ability to adapt to something different from a schematic standpoint.
Meanwhile, likely the biggest point of contention for candidates will be Nick Sirianni’s lingering influence over the scheme and overall direction of the offense.
Early reports suggest, Sirianni is open to handing over full autonomy of the offense, but it remains to be seen exactly how much autonomy will be awarded depending on the hire.
All of these are real points of contention for any offensive coordinator that Philadelphia may consider.
Each of these various points can be an article all by themselves, but each paints a picture defined as much by uncertainty as it is by opportunity.
The next Eagles offensive coordinator will be tasked with stabilizing a talented, albeit flawed offense (both on the field and off the field). They’ll have to navigate the dynamics of a vocal and opinionated fanbase and media corps and they’ll have to contend with potentially revamping the overall direction of the offense, and how the head coach fits into that picture.
Every point about the position (good and bad) serve as the overall framing for the role. It’s what defines this job.
The calculus is complex, but that’s Philadelphia in a nutshell. It’s a complicated, loud, and pressure packed environment. But that’s what’s special about the role, and by proxy, it’s what’s special about Philadelphia sports.
The upside is obvious, but so is the risk.
The Philly Blitz 
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