Iggles Blitz

by Tommy Lawlor

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.

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The First Domino

Posted January 13th, 2026 | 3 Comments »

After a disappointing season we knew changes would be coming to the Eagles. Tuesday brought us the first and most important one. Kevin Patullo is out as offensive coordinator.

Patullo isn’t exactly fired, though. The 2025 Eagles never did anything the easy way so why start now. Per reports, Patullo may be brought back as an assistant, just not as the OC. He and Nick Sirianni are close and Patullo has been part of two Super Bowl offenses. One question is whether Patullo wants to come back. Having people egg his house may cause him to want a fresh start elsewhere.

There is also the question of who the new OC is and how that would all work. The OC has changed over the past few years, but the offensive system is still Sirianni’s. Will that change?

This wasn’t just a down season by the offense. It was special. In a bad, bad way.

Jeffrey Lurie and Howie Roseman may decide to push Sirianni to overhaul the offense and not just change the person calling plays. The offense had schematic advantages when Shane Steichen was running it back in 2022. It seems the league has caught up to it and the coaches haven’t had the answers to counter what defenses have done.

There is no magic system in pro football. You need the right combination of scheme and players. You need the right play-caller.

It will be very interesting to see how the Eagles proceed. They could go for someone with ties to Sirianni. Brian Daboll and Nick have a strong relationship. Daboll is a veteran offensive coach who could run the current system or mix in his own for the team. Daboll worked with Jalen Hurts at Alabama so that could also help things.

If the Eagles bring in an established coordinator, that could point to the new coach having more say and control. We’ll have to wait and see if there will be any more offensive staff changes. There could also be player changes. Everyone will speculate about AJ Brown after his performance in the loss and overall turbulent season. TE is a position that must be addressed. The OL needs help as well.

Most of the offense will return and the unit could get right back to being a Top 10 unit. That certainly will be the hope.

*****

The offseason means moves will start happening.

Saquon Barkley recently lauded Campbell for his work in practice. Hall showed a lot of promise last summer and he could push for a roster spot next season. Johnson flashed potential as a nickel. Pierce is massive and could be interesting in Year 2.

Steele played RB for the Chiefs. He is about 230 pounds and could be moved to FB.

Ojukwu is an OL who has 9 career starts and is worth trying to develop.

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