Nick Sirianni has a 34-17 regular season record.
He has led the Eagles to the playoffs in his three seasons as their head coach, reaching the Super Bowl in 2022.
Still, people only remember your last performance.
Philadelphia owners Jeffrey Lurie and Howie Roseman have begun the painstaking chore of evaluating the coaching staff and determining if Sirianni will return in 2024 after an ugly 32-9 loss to the Buccaneers in the wild-card round.
It’s the second time in three years that a Todd Bowles defense has dominated Jalen Hurts, and the inability to adjust almost two years to the day of the first disappointment could be the final nail.
The one negative in Sirianni’s dilemma is that this coaching cycle is loaded with young and experienced offensive coaches who thrive in using motion, scheming players open, and, most importantly, adjusting to a blitzing defense.
With exit meetings set to begin Thursday and lots of changes expected, we’re ranking the head coaching candidates the Eagles could target if Sirianni departs or is fired.
1
Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik
The 36-year-old comes from the Kyle Shanahan coaching tree and has completed a dominant first year as offensive coordinator with the Houston Texans.
Slowik has turned rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud into a star and the favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Stroud had one of the best seasons by a rookie quarterback in NFL history, and his six seasons with the Niners, moving from the role of defensive quality control assistant to the team’s passing game coordinator in his final season there prepared him for the biggest stage.
Slowik shines when designing effective passing offenses, and he’ll help get Jalen Hurts to the next level.
2
Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith
Smith became a tight ends coach—for the Chicago Bears between 2015 and 2017 and the Las Vegas Raiders between 2018 and 2020.
In 2021, Smith joined the Los Angeles Rams as their run game coordinator and offensive line coach.
If the Eagles choose to move on from Nick Sirianni, hiring the man who’s conducted one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses in Miami over the past two seasons would be the ideal choice.
Smith was voted the No. 1 offensive coordinator in the NFL in a recent NFLPA poll surveying 1,700 NFL players.
3
Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson
The top candidate in this cycle, Johnson would erase the error of not hiring Shane Steichen over Sirianni in the first place.
Johnson has taken Jared Goff to another level, and he’s been innovative in Detroit, as the Eagles have produced top-five offense for a second consecutive year under his watch.
The Lions have a solid run-pass ratio, and Johnson’s biggest attribute is his ability to utilize David Montgomery, and Jahmyr Gibbs in the same backfield.
4
Ravens DC Mike Macdonald
If the Eagles are interested in McDonald’s, they must strike before six other teams get the opportunity.
Macdonald guided Baltimore’s defense to a No. 1 finish in scoring defense in 2023, allowing just 280 points.
The Ravens ranked No. 6 in total defense, allowing 301.4 yards per game and logging 60 sacks and 29 takeaways while allowing 4.6 yards per play (second-best in the NFL).
Macdonald is 36 years old but earned his reputation while working for both Harbaugh brothers.
This season, Justin Madubuike has recorded a career-high 13 sacks through 16 games in 2023; Jadeveon Clowney has revitalized his career with an 8.5-sack season; and Geno Stone has blossomed into an interception leader.
5
Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady
Brady is 6-1 since replacing Ken Dorsey on Nov. 14, and he’s completely rejuvenated the Buffalo offense.
Brady turned Joe Burrow into a star at LSU, and brings his own innovative touch to the offense.
6
Brian Callahan --Bengals offensive coordinator
Callahan would be another extension of the Shanahan/McVay tree. He’s flourished as the Bengals’ offensive coordinator under coach Zac Taylor, who was McVay’s quarterbacks coach in 2018 before taking over the Bengals.
Callahan was named one of the top five offensive coordinators in the NFL, according to the NFLPA poll.
7
Former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel
A former Patriots star, Vrabel led the Titans to the AFC Championship in 2019.
Vrabel was 56-48 as a head coach entering with Tennessee, and has an incredible relationship with A.J. Brown.
Philadelphia would have to hire an offensive innovator to oversee the offense.
8
Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken
Monken served as Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator from 2016 to 2018 and then spent one year in the same position with Cleveland.
He became a star at the University of Georgia, where he was the Bulldogs’ offensive coordinator from 2020 to 2022.
Georgia won the national championship in the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
This season, the Ravens offense ranked sixth in the NFL in yards per game (370.4), and Lamar Jackson made first-team All-Pro and is the favorite for the MVP award.
9
Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris
Morris, 47, was hired by the Rams as their defensive coordinator in 2021, helping the team win Super Bowl LVI.
He was previously the Buccaneers’ head coach from 2009-11, going 17-31, and went 4-7 serving as the Falcons’ interim coach in 2020 after Dan Quinn was fired.
10
Seahawks OC Shane Waldron
Waldron is an offensive-minded coach who comes from the Sean McVay coaching tree, and added explosive elements to the Seahawks scheme.
11
Former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick
Would Belichick be comfortable cooking with Howie Roseman’s groceries?
