PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — In his first public comments since being let go from the Eagles, former head coach Doug Pederson insists it’s “water under the bridge.”
Pederson sat down with NBC Sports Philadelphia’s John Clark for a lengthy interview on his new podcast, “Takeoff with John Clark.” He touched on being let go after such a short period between winning the Super Bowl and this past season.
He said the thought that neither he, Carson Wentz nor Nick Foles would be with the Eagles three years after taking home a Lombardi Trophy would be crazy. But now, he has closure, and he said he’s in a good place.
“I just think about those great times, those great moments I had in the five years, and obviously we had a rough season this past year and things didn’t go our way, and the injuries and whatnot, but I don’t focus on that,” he said.
Clark noted even chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie said Pederson didn’t deserve to be fired.
“I would love to have had an opportunity to really kind of fix the season last year and get things back on track and really turn that thing around because I feel like that’s something that I could have done,” he said. “And I understand where (Lurie) is coming from and obviously the situation moving forward, and again, I just continue to focus on those positives.”
There were rumblings that one of the disagreements Pederson had with Lurie was who to put on his 2021 coaching staff. Pederson didn’t say directly but added, “I’m going to continue to always stand up for the guys that I want to surround myself with and try to put my best foot forward. I feel like as a head coach you should have that opportunity to have the guys around you because then it’s on me.”
Pederson had nothing demeaning to say about Wentz either.
“I do believe that there’s a little misnomer out there that Carson and I were on such bad terms. I never felt that way,” he said.
Pederson said he understands Wentz’s frustration with the season. He still has a lot of respect for him and is excited to see how he does with the Colts. As for Jalen Hurts, Pederson believes with his leadership, work ethic and skill, he can be the Eagles’ future at quarterback.
Pederson said he’s received an outpouring of love and support, which to him shows that his Eagles did the right things when he was in charge.
“I’m going out on a high note,” he said with pride. “I’m going out on top. I’m going out as a Super Bowl-winning coach in Philadelphia, and hopefully, I’ll be welcomed back in the city one day and come back. And whether I’m coaching on the other sideline or just back to visit, I’m looking forward to those moments.”