Just two weeks ago Eagles fans woke up with Doug Pederson as their head coach and Jim Schwartz as their defensive coordinator.
Now, after a week of waiting, things are changing fast around the Eagles.
In addition to announcing Nick Sirianni as their new head coach, the team had a busy weekend starting to fill out his staff, hiring three coaches, interviewing at least two more, keeping one coach, losing another and even seeing a front-office member leave as well.
So what happened over the weekend?
Here is a rundown of everything you need to know, with some notes on each candidate:
Announced Nick Sirianni
*** Three days after they reportedly reached the decision to hire Sirianni, the Eagles officially announced the move, making him their fourth head coach in the last nine seasons. You can read plenty more about Sirianni here.
Hired Jonathan Gannon as defensive coordinator (reportedly)
Will be replacing: Jim Schwartz
** Has primarily coached defensive backs throughout his coaching career, which started in 2003 and has seen stops in college and the NFL.
** Worked with Sirianni in Indianapolis from 2018 to 2020
** One of the better parts of his resume is getting a really good year out of Xavier Rhodes last season with the Indianapolis Colts
** Will likely run a 4-3 defense, which matches the Eagles’ personnel
** Although he has ties to Sirianni, Gannon is rumored to have been on McDaniels staff had the Eagles hired him. Gannon also received interest from other teams besides the Eagles for defensive coordinator openings.
Hired Tracy Rocker as defensive line coach (reportedly)
Will be replacing: Matt Burke
** Rocker has spent the last two seasons at South Carolina. He briefly joined Auburn before taking the Eagles’ job.
** Rocker worked with Gannon from 2012 to 2013 with the Tennessee Titans
** Played in the NFL after being selected in the 3rd round of the 1989 NFL Draft
** Has been coaching since 1992, almost exclusively in college
** It is unclear if Burke will remain with the team, but it shouldn’t be assumed he is leaving, and it is definitely possible he is moved to a different position group.
Hired Kevin Patullo as passing-game coordinator (reportedly)
Will be replacing: Press Taylor
** 39-years old
** Worked with Sirianni in Indianapolis from 2018 to 2020, both as a wide receiver coach and a pass-game specialist
** Viewed as someone who specializes in RPO, which is noteworthy considering the Eagles have one quarterback who can run the RPO (Jalen Hurts) and one who can’t (Carson Wentz).
** It is likely Press Taylor will not be back
Keeping Jeff Stoutland (reportedly)
*** One of the biggest moves the Eagles made was retaining one of their own. Keeping Stoutland around for the 2021 season is huge, as Stoutland is one of the best offensive line coaches in the NFL.
** Stoutland coming back will help the entire offensive line, but it is especially big for Jordan Mailata, who is continuing to develop and should be penciled in as the start at left tackle.
** Stoutland should provide a veteran voice for Sirianni, something the young head coach will need both on his staff and in the locker room.
Lost Duce Staley
** Staley will reportedly ask to be released from his contract, an understandable decision considering he has been passed over time-and-time again for promotions within the organization.
** It will be interesting to see where Staley lands and what role he gets with his new team. The Eagles clearly didn’t feel Staley was capable of being an offensive coordinator or a head coach. If he eventually lands either job, it will be interesting tracking his success vs. the candidates the Eagles hired over him.
Interviewed Shane Steichen for the offensive coordinator job (reportedly)
** 35-years old appears to currently the favorite to land the job
** Steichen was the Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator in 2020, where along with Anthony Lynn, the duo helped bring along Justin Herbert to turn in an incredibly successful rookie year
** The Chargers offense finished 18th in the NFL in points last season
** Steichen worked with Sirianni in Los Angeles from 2014-2017, when he served as quarterbacks coach
** The Eagles did not go with a traditional offensive coordinator last season, instead having both a run-game specialist and a pass-game specialist.
Interviewed Curtis Modkins for the offensive coordinator job (reportedly)
** The 50-years old running backs coach has worked with the Denver Broncos since 2018
** Coached in NFL since 2008 with seven different teams. Always a running backs coach outside of being offensive coordinator with Buffalo from 2010-2012.
** Modkins has coached four 1,000 yard rushers during his career
** It is possible the Eagles are hoping Modkins can serve as offensive coordinator while also taking on some of the same responsibilities of the running back coach, especially after losing Staley.
Lost John Dorsey to Detroit
** After spending a few months consulting the Eagles, Dorsey is now a senior personnel executive with the Detroit Lions
** There was some belief that Dorsey might have stayed with the team and had a say in personnel moves, with some even hoping he would take some power away from Howie Roseman. Clearly that won’t be happening now.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!