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The Eagles are “expected to hire” Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Shane Steichen to the same position in Philadelphia, according to a report from NFL insider Adam Schefter.
It was previously reported that the Eagles interviewed Steichen and Denver Broncos running backs coach Curtis Modkins for their vacant OC job. Here’s what we wrote about Steichen on Sunday:
Steichen, 35, has experience working with new Eagles head coach Nick Siranni. The two overlapped on the Chargers from 2014 through 2017. Here’s a snapshot of Steichen’s entire coaching experience:
2010 — Lousiville offensive assistant
2011-2012 — San Diego Chargers defensive assistant
2013 — Cleveland Browns offensive quality control coach
2014-2015 — San Diego Chargers offensive quality control coach
2016-2019 — San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers quarterbacks coach
2019 — Los Angeles Chargers interim offensive coordinator
2020 — Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator
Steichen, who called plays for the Bolts, has drawn praise for Justin Herbert’s success. The No. 6 overall pick from the 2020 NFL Draft threw for 4,336 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions for a 98.3 passer rating as a 22-year-old rookie. Pretty good. The 2020 Chargers ranked 15th overall in DVOA and seventh in passing DVOA.
On the downside, Steichen has been criticized for leaning too heavily on the run on early downs. There was also a really bizarre moment last year when Steichen called a run play for 3rd-and-1 when the Chargers had no timeouts and just 22 seconds remaining at Atlanta’s eight-yard line in the second quarter. The Chargers had an oddly similar gaffe against the Buffalo Bills as well. Head coach Anthony Lynn, who was fired by LA, played a part in the Chargers’ poor time management ... but Steichen was ultimately the play-caller.
With Sirianni expected to call plays in Philly, that would alleviate some of the concerns about Steichen.
The last time the Eagles hired a former Chargers offensive coordinator to be their offensive coordinator they won a Super Bowl two seasons later. Thus, the Eagles will win the Super Bowl again in 2022. It’s science.
Seriously, though, the Eagles are hoping that Steichen will have a positive impact on Carson Wentz (or whoever the starting quarterback is) like Frank Reich did. It’ll also be up to Steichen to be a good filter by taking game plan input from position coaches and presenting it to Sirianni.