:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66122354/1192018003.jpg.0.jpg)
Well, it looks like the Philadelphia Eagles won’t be filling their offensive coordinator and/or wide receivers coach openings with a member of the Baltimore Ravens’ staff.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said the team allowed quarterbacks coach James Urban and tight ends coach Bobby Engram to interview for jobs in Philly but they’re both opting to stay in Baltimore.
Coach Harbaugh said that offensive assistants James Urban and Bobby Engram have decided to stay in Baltimore after initially interviewing with the Eagles for opportunities. pic.twitter.com/9xHeysBedV
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 17, 2020
Of course, “declining to leave” could also be interpreted as “didn’t get the job offer.”
In any case, the Eagles’ search for a new offensive coordinator and a new wide receivers coach continues. The Eagles also have a defensive backs coach vacancy to fill after losing Cory Undlin to the Detroit Lions.
Urban was only the third name to be linked to the Eagles’ OC job through media reports. The other two names: Jim Caldwell and Kevin O’Connell. O’Connell was hired to be the Los Angeles Rams’ offensive coordinator so he’s off the board. That leaves Caldwell, who should be a preferable target for the Eagles. But there are questions about the 65-year-old’s health after he had to step away from a full-time role with the Miami Dolphins in 2019. Urban was an intriguing target so it’s too bad he’s off the board.
No one should be losing sleep with Engram being out of the running for the Eagles’ wide receivers coach job. His track record isn’t overly inspiring. The other reported candidate for this opening is former NFL wide receiver and current New York Jets offensive assistant Hines Ward. Maybe the Eagles go in that direction.
There have been no rumored candidates for the Eagles’ defensive backs coach opening. Kris Richard and Jerry Gray could be names to watch there but that’s just me guessing.
I understand people getting antsy for the Eagles to make a decision considering there isn’t much other news to talk about right now. But it’s only been just over a week since the Eagles fired Mike Groh and Carson Walch. There’s no dire rush to fill these spots. It’s preferable to see the team to hold an extensive search and focus on getting the best candidates. Hopefully that’s what’s happening here.