Iggles Blitz

by Tommy Lawlor

Coaching Update

Posted January 23rd, 2026 | 5 Comments »

The Eagles search for an offensive coordinator rolls along, like a sluggish drive filled with 3 and 4 yard gains. It isn’t going anywhere in a hurry. The team is being thorough and I do think there is real value in that. After all, the goal is to make the right hire and not the quickest hire.

Let’s talk about what’s going on now. The team has completed interviews with several candidates. It seems like Bobby Slowik, Jim Bob Cooter, Matt Nagy, Josh Grizzard and Mike Kafka are still in the running.

The team is hoping to speak with Declan Doyle from the Bears. Good news on that front.

Doyle is interesting. He didn’t call plays in Chicago, but he’s worked under Ben Johnson and Sean Payton, two of the best offensive minds in the game. That alone has to interest you. Would he be the right fit for the Eagles? In an ideal world, they would add a veteran coordinator, the offensive version of Vic Fangio. The problem is that it doesn’t seem anyone like that is available right now.

If you can’t get a veteran, don’t be afraid to take a chance on a young guy with tremendous upside. There would be risk, but playing it safe would probably be the worst course of action. The offense has some good weapons in place. This is a group that could be a top unit with the right scheme and the right coaching. Go find a gifted offensive mind to run the show.

It is interesting that Jeremy Fowler said Brian Daboll is still possible. The Eagles were reportedly high on him initially. As he focused on other jobs, I wonder if the Eagles didn’t start to develop more interest in other candidates. The more you look around, the more you can find candidates that pique your interest. Doyle certainly could fit that category.

Jim Bob Cooter feels like someone who should get more attention. He spent the past three years working with Shane Steichen. He was the offensive coordinator with the Lions from 2016-2018. He was a consultant with the Eagles in 2021 so he knows the staff and some of the players already.

The key for me is to find someone who has a creative mind and is also a problem-solver. Kevin Patullo did a fantastic job of calling plays in the red zone. He showed some creativity there. He could not solve problems all year long. The OL was a mess. Once you know that you adjust. Patullo was never able to do that. All candidates should be quizzed heavily on how they would deal with obstacles (injuries, performance issues, etc.).

I know some people are nervous because the Eagles haven’t made a hire yet. There isn’t anyone they lost out on that bothers me. As intriguing as Mike McDaniel would have been, I still had some concerns. Talk to candidates. Find the right guy.

Back in 1999 Andy Reid wanted Marvin Lewis to be his defensive coordinator. Lewis came to town. He interviewed and did a bit of house hunting. Lewis ended up staying put and turning the job down. Reid had to move onto other candidates. He ended up with some guy named Jim Johnson. The hot name isn’t always the right name. The “top” candidates aren’t always the right candidate.

*****

It feels like Kliff Kingsbury will end up elsewhere, but he still could be in the running.

Joe Brady could become a candidate. He interviewed to be the head coach in Buffalo. If he’s available, several teams could have interest in Brady. Josh Allen is the star, but Brady helped put together a great running game in Buffalo.

*****

We do know one thing.

You love to see young coaches get a chance to move up the ladder. Congrats to Christian. He earned this.

At the same time, you sure do hate to lose good coaches. He did a great job with Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. The Eagles will probably promote Joe Kasper to fill the vacancy.

_

The OC Search

Posted January 14th, 2026 | 3 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.

_