The Eagles have now had interest in enough candidates to almost field an entire team — but it could be down to two coaches for the job.
Speaking on 94WIP with Joe Giglio, Howard Eskin offered up what he is hearing about the search:
“I hear it is most likely going to come down to Josh McDaniels or Duce Staley. The reason that I believe that is what I hear is Howie (Roseman) really likes Josh McDaniels…Jeffrey Lurie not quite at that point and the interview with Duce Staley, from what I was told, really went well. Jeffrey Lurie has also received quite a few text messages from players who are in support of Duce Staley. How much that means, I don’t know, but that will obviously have some input. In Duce’s interview he was very through, had some good ideas for coaches, especially offensive and defensive coordinators, both from the pros and from college. He has got guys from what I understand he has talked to if he gets the job. He is prepared. From what I understand that has impressed Jeffrey Lurie.”
The Eagles have interviewed both McDaniels and Staley, although at this point McDaniels seems to be the favorite.
Staley has been coaching with the Eagles since 2011, starting as a special teams quality control coach before being moved over to running backs coach in 2013, a title he has held ever since. Staley did interview for the head coach opening in 2016, but didn’t get the job. He had the title of “assistant head coach” added in 2018 when he was passed over for the offensive coordinator job.
Multiple players, current and former, have come out publicly and endorsed Staley for the job. There is no doubt Staley has the personality to be a head coach — the question is whether his lack of play calling experience on either side of the ball will hurt his chances. Also not helping is the fact that Staley doesn't have experience coaching quarterback, a crucial skill for whoever is named either head coach or offensive coordinator.
Eskin’s report is certainly interesting as it paints Staley as not only in the conversation for the job and preparing as if he might get it — but perhaps one of the finalists.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!