Eagles acknowledge that their offense “got stale” while Nick Sirianni looks for a new coordinator to work with Jalen Hurts

During his address to the media at the Philadelphia Eagles’ locker clean-out last week, Jalen Hurts expressed confidence in the continuity of the franchise. He stated, “I believe in everyone here. We plan on addressing and improving everything together—Coach Sirianni, Brian, everyone.”

A week later, the Eagles officially announced the retention of head coach Nick Sirianni for a fourth year. Sirianni and general manager Howie Roseman held a press conference on Wednesday. However, the team has decided to part ways with offensive coordinator Brian Johnson, a figure Hurts has known since childhood. Johnson served one year as the coordinator and two more as Hurts’ quarterbacks coach.

The decision was intricate. On one hand, letting go of Johnson means that Hurts will be working with his ninth play-caller in the last 10 seasons, dating back to his high school years. Interestingly, Hurts had his most impressive, MVP-caliber season during the one year he didn’t have to adapt to a new coordinator. In Hurts’ second year with Shane Steichen, the Eagles reached the Super Bowl.

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On the flip side, the Eagles were evidently on the verge of undergoing significant organizational changes. They experienced as many losses in the final six weeks of the 2023 regular season (five) as they did in the preceding 24 months. Additionally, Jalen Hurts saw a regression in his performance from 2022 to 2023, with his passer rating dropping from 101.5 to 89.1. He threw interceptions on 2.8% of passes (15 total), up from 1.3% (six).

Following their playoff defeat against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Hurts raised concerns about the Eagles’ lack of offensive identity. Similar to the defense, his unit required a new direction. Consequently, just a year after losing both their offensive and defensive coordinators to head-coaching roles, the Eagles find themselves once again searching for candidates to fill both positions.

As they embark on the quest for their third offensive coordinator in three years, it raises the question: What will be the role of this position under the offensive-minded Sirianni? Perhaps more crucially, how will the new coordinator contribute to aiding Hurts?

The Eagles are in search of a new offensive coordinator to eliminate the stagnation in their approach. According to Sirianni, the task for the new hire involves having a vision, calling plays, and coaching the quarterback effectively. Sirianni emphasized that the new coordinator will be entrusted with leading the offense.

Until the selection is finalized, it remains uncertain how much impact both Sirianni and the new coordinator will have on Philadelphia’s 2024 scheme. Sirianni aims to build on successful elements in the passing, running, and protection schemes that contributed to the Eagles’ 25 regular-season wins over the past two seasons, a mark unmatched by any other team except the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers.

However, the team’s struggles in the latter part of the recent regular season indicate the need for some changes. Sirianni acknowledged the staleness that emerged with the 1-6 finish and expressed that the new hire is intended to eliminate this stagnation.

Sirianni envisions hiring a coach who either doesn’t share the same coaching background as him or has been influenced by coaching experiences that Sirianni hasn’t encountered before. It’s unlikely that the chosen candidate will have been part of the coaching staff in Philadelphia over the past three years.

Sirianni emphasized that his search is not limited to candidates from a specific offensive system. Instead, he is focused on finding someone who can adapt their system to match the skill sets of the current Eagles’ roster, which includes talents like Jalen Hurts, wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, tight end Dallas Goedert, and a group of skilled offensive linemen. Despite the team’s recent challenges, both Sirianni and Roseman believe that the Eagles still boast one of the most talented offenses in the NFL.

“We have a lot of those pieces in place,” remarked Roseman. “This cupboard isn’t even close to bare.”

The Eagles are seeking an offensive coordinator who can provide better design and direction for the team’s overall strategy. They want someone who can help Jalen Hurts become a more consistent passer, reduce turnovers, and restore confidence in the Run-Pass Option (RPO) game. Despite the team’s struggles in the latter part of the season, both Roseman and Sirianni believe in Hurts’ potential for improvement in 2024.

Sirianni acknowledged that Hurts had high-level performances during the Eagles’ losing streak, attributing some of the team’s challenges to defensive issues and midseason coaching changes. While recognizing areas for improvement in Hurts, Sirianni expressed confidence in the quarterback’s commitment to addressing those areas.

The Eagles face decisions on the type of coach to pair with Hurts, considering factors such as leadership style and prior relationships. They also need to determine the offensive emphasis between the run and pass, evaluating the impact of injuries on Hurts’ performance and assessing his decision-making skills.

Sirianni plans to collaborate with the new coordinator to create a balanced offensive scheme. The coaching staff will explore new principles, potentially seeking insights from both college and NFL levels through visits and professional development efforts.

Ultimately, the Eagles aim to redefine their vision and re-establish themselves, with a focus on maximizing Hurts’ potential and finding the right coaching fit for the team.

“We’ll be implementing the offensive strategies that have worked well for us in the past; this will be the Philadelphia Eagles’ offense, not tied to any specific individual. Jalen Hurts’ execution will play a crucial role in shaping it, although he has expressed a preference for not getting involved in the design process.

According to Hurts, the responsibilities are clear – owners own, coaches coach, and players play. He emphasizes his focus on playing at a high level and expresses confidence in Coach Sirianni, Howie Roseman, and team owner Jeffrey Lurie. Hurts acknowledges his role in controlling what he can on the field.

Sirianni echoes a similar sentiment, noting that he didn’t need to convince the Eagles to retain him after the late-season struggles. The team’s success over the past three years weighed more heavily in the decision than recent challenges. However, the pressure is on Sirianni to engineer a strong start to the 2024 season and overcome the memories of the end-of-2023 struggles.

Sirianni sees the upcoming season as an opportunity to re-establish the team’s credibility and is determined to prove himself once again. The goal is to prove the doubters wrong and demonstrate their capabilities on the field.”