Eagles to retain head coach Sirianni -- but changes are coming to Philly
The 2023 NFL season fell far below the Philadelphia Eagles' high standards. Despite starting the campaign with 10 wins from 11 games, the defending NFC champions sputtered down the stretch, ending the regular season with five losses in six games before bowing out of the playoffs with a 32-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Eagles' stunning fall from grace brought into question the future of Nick Sirianni, but the head coach on Wednesday confirmed to reporters that he will remain in Philadelphia to fix what ails the Birds. That is set to include sweeping changes to the coaching staff, as well as some hard goodbyes to veteran players this offseason.
Cox and Kelce could leave
Sirianni on Wednesday announced that he will take charge of the Eagles for a fourth season in 2024, but next year's Eagles team could look significantly different thanks to free agency.
Longtime stalwarts Fletcher Cox and Jason Kelce could both leave due to the salary commitments that might be required to keep them. Both players have become franchise legends -- Cox for his achievements as a star defensive lineman, Kelce for his All-Pro play as Phily's starting center -- but the Eagles are considering going younger and cheaper at both positions.
Defensive end Brandon Graham, another longtime Eagle, is 35 years old and will also be a free agent. The franchise has further decisions to make in the running back room -- Rashaad Penny and Pro Bowl selection D'Andre Swift are both slated for free agency.
Changing coordinators
The Eagles on Tuesday dismissed offensive coordinator Brian Johnson after quarterback Jalen Hurts threw a career-worst 15 interceptions during the 2023 regular season, with former Arizona Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury regarded as a top candidate to replace Johnson. This followed Philly's decision to part ways with defensive coordinator Sean Desai and defensive playcaller Matt Patricia -- a total staff overhaul in response to the late-season collapse.
Philly is expected to push for former Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio as Desai's replacement. Fangio and the Dolphins went their separate ways on Wednesday -- as the Eagles' end-of-season press conference was taking place -- and Fangio has family in Pennsylvania. Former Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera is also a candidate to run Philly's defense if Fangio ends up elsewhere.
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