Nick Sirianni, Coach of the Eagles, fired? Five People Who Need to Take His Place
Nick Sirianni is under pressure following the Philadelphia Eagles’ season-ending disaster.
The Philadelphia Eagles’ historic fall came to an end on Monday at Raymond James Stadium when they lost 32-9 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Wild Card round of the playoffs.
With a 10-1 start to the season, Philadelphia was well-positioned to win the NFC East and secure the top conference seed, with a second consecutive Super Bowl appearance in its sights.
Four of the Eagles’ six losses came by a margin of at least 17 points as the team finished the season 1-6.
Huge adjustments are anticipated, and head coach Nick Sirianni might be the first to go. Everything is on the table with how Sirianni’s team finished the 2023 season, and no one would be stunned if he was fired in the next days, despite the fact that he made the playoffs in each of his three seasons in Philadelphia and won the NFC last year.
If the Eagles decide to replace Sirianni as head coach, they should have a look at these five alternatives.
Former head coach of the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick
If Sirianni is fired, general manager Howie Roseman ought to call Bill Belichick first.
Even though Belichick and the New England Patriots had difficulties in three of their four seasons without Tom Brady, the Eagles have many of the solutions the former head coach has been searching for. Philadelphia’s skill on both sides of the ball is undeniable.
To get the most out of them like they did the previous season, coaches are required.With one of the strongest rosters in sports, Belichick probably wants a squad that can win right away, and the Eagles fit the bill.
For the majority of his coaching career, Belichick has been one of the few coaches who consistently get the most out of his team. If that weren’t the true, he wouldn’t be regarded as one of the best head coaches of all time, second all-time in victories, and winner of six Super Bowls.
It should be a successful match if Roseman and Belichick can agree on how the squad will be managed both on and off the field in terms of personnel.
Mike Vrabel: Former head coach of the Tennessee Titans
Mike Vrabel would be the ideal replacement for Belichick if Philadelphia is smitten with him but is unable to sign him.
Having played for Belichick from 2003 to 2008, Vrabel is a disciple of the coach. He applied a similar philosophy during his six seasons as head coach of the Tennessee Titans.
Vrabel played in three playoff games, including the 2019 AFC Championship game, and finished 54–45 while in Tennessee.
Like Belichick, Vrabel’s club struggled primarily due to a lack of skill rather than a lack of coaching ability. It’s not a talent problem in Philadelphia. It’s the inability to maintain discipline and bring everyone around to the same idea.
With Vrabel in charge, a lot of the discipline problems and defensive blunders wouldn’t be tolerated. Vrabel ought to be at the top of Philadelphia’s coaching search if the organization wishes to change its identity with a coach who has the potential to be there for a long time.
Ben Johnson, the offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions
Ben Johnson, the offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions, is the man the Eagles should hire if their objective with their next coaching search, should they decide to fire Sirianni, is to maximize quarterback Jalen Hurts.
In his two seasons as Detroit’s offensive coordinator, Johnson has rejuvenated quarterback Jared Goff’s career and led one of the top offenses, ranking fifth in scoring offense in 2022 and 2023. A plus for him is the growth of tight end Sam LaPorta and receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, in addition to the offensive success.
Hiring one of the top prospects in coaching cycle would be a huge success if Roseman’s goal in selecting his replacement is to maximize the performance of Hurts and the offense, should Sirianni be dismissed.
Mike Macdonald, coordinator of defense for the Baltimore Ravens
A lot like the defensive equivalent of Johnson is Mike Macdonald. With the Baltimore Ravens leading the league in points per game (16.5), sacks (60), and turnovers (31) tied for first place, Macdonald oversaw the strongest defense in football.
The only time Macdonald coached against Johnson was in Week 7, when the Ravens defense shut down the Lions attack and won 38–6.
Philadelphia’s defense, which ranks 30th in points per game (25.2) and has given up more than 30 points in five of its past eight games, has been a farce. Not to mention the countless tackles that are broken down the stretch.
Macdonald would be a good addition to Philadelphia if they want to strengthen their defense and become a more formidable unit.