It wasn’t a surprise that the Philadelphia Eagles fired defensive coordinator Sean Desai, or that his replacement, Matt Patricia is leaving as well, as the NFL Network first reported Sunday night.
The fact that the report said Eagles coach Nick Sirianni was the one who fired Desai could be a sign that Sirianni is remaining as the Eagles head coach. The Eagles more or less confirmed Sirianni’s return by announcing a season-ending news conference with Sirianni and general manager Howie Roseman on Wednesday.
Patricia is leaving to ‘explore other opportunities,’ the NFL Network reported.
That Sirianni would be returning isn’t surprising after he took the Eagles to the playoffs in each of his three seasons, something no other coach in Eagles history has done.
There was speculation that Sirianni’s job could be in jeopardy after the Eagles finished out the season with six losses in seven games, including a 32-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC wild-card round.
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There’s a good chance that Desai and Patricia won’t be the only coaches leaving.
Eagles insider and Jakib Sports analyst Derek Gunn reported Monday that ‘all indications are Brian Johnson will not be returning as the Eagles (offensive coordinator) …. He will land elsewhere in some offensive capacity.’
Desai had already been replaced on Dec. 16 by Patricia, who was hired last spring as a special defensive assistant. Desai kept the title of defensive coordinator, but Patricia called all the defensive plays while Desai was moved upstairs to the coach’s box.
The Eagles defense didn’t improve under Patricia as the Eagles finished 31st in the NFL in pass defense and 30th in points allowed per game.
The Eagles have already put together a list of defensive coordinator candidates, one that reportedly includes former Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera.
Sirianni, meanwhile, was expected to meet with Eagles chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie last Friday in order to make sure a finish like this doesn’t happen again.
As for Johnson, his fate might have been sealed when quarterback Jalen Hurts regressed during the season-ending slide as well. Johnson, who has known Hurts since Hurts was a toddler, had served as the Eagles quarterbacks coach the previous two seasons.
Johnson is also a candidate for some head coach openings. He interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons last week. Johnson was in his first season as offensive coordinator. He replaced Shane Steichen, who left to become the Indianapolis Colts head coach, following the Eagles’ Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last February. Desai had succeeded Jonathan Gannon, who became the Arizona Cardinals head coach after the Super Bowl as well.
But Sirianni is staying. And some veterans expressed surprise that his return was even in question.
‘I don’t understand that,’ left tackle Jordan Mailata said. ‘He’s taken us to the playoffs three consecutive years. He’s taken us to the Super Bowl last year. That’s got to account for something. He’s a hell of a coach.
‘I feel stupid saying that, but how did we get there?’
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.