NFL insider says significant changes will be made to Eagles’ coaching staff (barring playoff run)

Doug Pederson said the Philadelphia Eagles will NOT be making any immediate coaching staff changes this week despite the team’s loss to the Miami Dolphins.

But Pederson’s assurance hardly means his staff will be retained after the 2019 season is over. In a Monday appearance on ESPN, Chris Mortensen indicated significant changes will be taking place ... barring a playoff run. (H/t SportsRadio 94WIP).

“Here’s what I can tell you: I haven’t spoken to Jeffrey Lurie — the Eagles’ owner — he hasn’t replied to a text, either. But I do know his history. Even when Andy Reid was coach in Philadelphia, [Lurie] will hold people accountable if you are performing below expectations. Right now, the Eagles are performing below expectations. That, barring a run in the playoffs, I would say that there is going to be some significant changes on the Philadelphia staff. And I’m not saying Doug Pederson will get fired, but I think there will be some staff changes, significantly, that would be certainly [what] Lurie — the owner — would want.”

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Hm, I wonder who leaked this to Mort.

Regardless, this report is encouraging to see. The Eagles shouldn’t be content with maintaining status quo like they mostly did last year. The coaching staff needs to be upgraded. Offensive coordinator Mike Groh, wide receivers coach Carson Walch, and quarterbacks coach Press Taylor should be among those who don’t return. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz should be on the hot seat if the Eagles’ defense continues to struggle down the stretch like it did against the Dolphins.

The Eagles, to their credit, did a really good job of emphasizing a strong coaching staff when Pederson was first hired. The organization specifically talked up the importance of pairing Pederson with Frank Reich and John DeFilippo, who eventually contributed to the team’s Super Bowl success. But when Reich and Flip left for promotions, the Eagles didn’t make a serious effort to hire the best candidates in their stead. Rather, the Eagles made automatic internal promotions. One would hope they’ve learned from their mistake of thinking they already have all the answers inside their building. It’s time for them to conduct a more exhaustive search to make the best possible hires.

Or, hey, maybe the Eagles will go on a playoff run! They can win the division by winning their remaining four games, after all. Still, merely clinching a playoff berth shouldn’t be good enough to stave off changes. The NFC East is historically bad this year. The Eagles would have to do something like make it to the NFC Championship Game to reasonably prevent coaching staff firings.

What changes do you want to see?