Iggles Blitz

by Tommy Lawlor

The OC Search

Posted January 14th, 2026 | No Comments »

The Eagles are looking for a new offensive coordinator. Based on early reports it sounds like the team is taking a smart approach. They have been linked to veteran candidates with strong backgrounds. That feels like the way to go for a team that expects to compete for a Super Bowl in 2026.

There is always a good argument to be made for looking for an up and coming coach. Ray Rhodes hired some kid named Jon Gruden back in 1995 and Gruden did a fantastic job for the Eagles over the next three years. But there is also risk. A young coordinator hasn’t learned all the lessons that come with experience. That can be costly. With the Eagles having so many good pieces already in place, going with a veteran coach makes the most sense. This is also a high profile position that comes with a lot of pressure and scrutiny. A veteran coach is more likely to handle that better.

Those are the two names we’re hearing the most about. McDaniel is in the running for some head coach openings so there is no guarantee he’ll be available. He would be the more interesting candidate. McDaniel comes from the Shanahan coaching tree and he’s a very creative coach who has produced some dynamic offenses. He was an awkward head coach, but is definitely a gifted offensive mind. If you want someone who can draw up plays and come up with creative solutions, McDaniel is your guy.

It is tough to judge McDaniel as a QB coach. He did get Tua Tagovailoa to play his best football, but injuries limited Tua from showing what his true ceiling might be. McDaniel is quirky and won’t come across as a traditional leader. He is very smart. He has a laid back personality, which might go well with Nick Sirianni being such an emotional coach.

Daboll has experience with Sirianni and Jalen Hurts. That could help him fit in with them. Daboll was an assistant with the Patriots when they won multiple Super Bowls. He spent a season at Alabama and they won the national title. He then spent four years coaching Josh Allen from rookie project to superstar QB. Daboll was tough and demanding, but got the best out of his star player. He then got the Giants job. Daboll produced a good season in 2022, but struggled otherwise.

While Daboll isn’t an X’s and O’s guru, he’s been able to produce some good offenses. The Bills were top three in scoring in two seasons. The Giants were 15th in 2022. The Giants were better on offense than the Eagles this past season despite having a rookie QB, rookie RB and some role players. Daboll is a fiery coach and good leader. Would another strong personality be a good fit on the offensive side of the ball? That’s a fair question.

I don’t think Kellen Moore had complete autonomy, but he did call plays. By the sound of that report, the Eagles are trying to let candidates know they will have control of the offense and won’t be tied to Sirianni’s playbook. That would be a welcome change for everyone, except for Nick. The offense clearly needs new ideas.

Another veteran candidate who could make good sense is Todd Monken. He did a great job with Lamar Jackson and the Ravens over the past three seasons. Monken was able to develop Jackson as a passer and also run a creative scheme that put up big numbers. He might decide to follow John Harbaugh wherever he ends up.

There isn’t a no-brainer move here. When the Eagles needed a defensive coordinator and Vic Fangio was available, that was a slam dunk move. There are positives and negatives for each of the OC candidates. That is part of what makes this so interesting. If they hire the right guy, the offense can go right back to being one of the best units in the league. Hire the wrong guy and you’re hurting a team with SB potential.

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