Doug Pederson said last week that he believes he’ll be back as Philadelphia Eagles head coach in 2021, but the book is still out on his future with the organization.
ESPN’s Chris Mortenson and Tim McManus reported on Sunday morning that Pederson’s status is “not firm,” adding that team owner Jeffrey Lurie could show the head coach the door if he “is not confident about Pederson’s vision going forward after the two meet again soon.”
Lurie’s concerns reportedly don’t just end with the uncertainty regarding the future of quarterback Carson Wentz — the once-perceived passer of the future who was benched in Week 13 for rookie Jalen Hurts.
The relationship between Wentz and the Eagles could still be salvaged, but the idea that the 28-year-old would force a trade is still very much on the table if the organization opts to make Hurts its go-to guy under center.
Pederson just completed his fifth season as Eagles head coach and it was easily his worst. Just three years removed from lifting the Lombardi Trophy, Philadelphia went 4-11-1, its worst record in eight years and its second-worst since 2000.
While the handling of the Wentz benching created controversy, he was also accused of tanking the final game of the season, handing the NFC East division crown to the Washington Football Team. Pederson benched Hurts in the fourth quarter of a one-possession game for career backup Nate Sudfeld and made questionable play calls to sabotage easy avenues to at least tie the game.
The fallout included reported fractures in the locker room, though Eagles players have attempted to clear up any sort of confusion. Regardless, it put the franchise in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, even if it got them the No. 6 pick of the draft.
