After another lifeless performance by the Eagles, it's time to wonder whether Doug Pederson and his time with the Eagles have come to an end?
A detailed look at that question is for another article, but if the Eagles were to move on, who should be considered?
Here is a look at some options for the Eagles if the Doug Pederson era comes to a close:
NFL Names
Eric Bieniemy - Chiefs OC
Let's get the obvious one out of the way.
Bieniemy became the Chief's offensive coordinator in 2018 after Matt Nagy left to become the Bears' head coach. In Bieniemy's first year as offensive coordinator, the Chiefs led the league in points scored, were first in yards per game, and scored the third-most points in NFL history. Patrick Mahomes became the second QB ever to throw for 5,000 yards and 50 TDs in the same season.
Last season, the Chiefs won the Super Bowl.
This season, the Chiefs are 9-1, Mahomes leads the league in passing yards, rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire is seventh in rushing, and the entire offensive arsenal is having a great season.
You think Wentz can benefit from an offensive mind like that?
Brian Daboll - Bills OC
The 4th most passing yards in the league and 6th most passing touchdowns belongs to the... Buffalo Bills?
After building a rushing attack that was extremely devastating from 2018-2019, Brian Daboll has transformed the Bills offense to the Josh Allen show. Sure, having Stefon Diggs helps, but you cannot ignore the leaps Josh Allen has made as a passer.
He is ranked 9th in DVOA, according to Football Outsiders, after finishing 28th in 2019, and 33rd in 2018.
Daboll's strength is scheming his offensive play calling to the talent in the offense, basing the plays on who he has available.
Sounds like something the Eagles could use?
Robert Saleh - 49ers DC
*I do not think Lurie hires a defensive coach*
Now that the obvious is out of the way, I still need to highlight the 49ers defensive coordinator.
Robert Saleh would be an absolute slam dunk of a hire and a shock to the system Eagles fans have been used to for decades.
The 49ers are missing massive pieces from their defense, yet Saleh has them top five. He values linebackers. He's beloved in the locker room and well respected throughout the league.
Could a Saleh hire bring Mike McDaniel over as OC? He was a name to watch in the Eagles' offensive coordinator search in January 2020, so it's possible that would be revisited again. You just have to look at the 49ers rushing attack to see how a McDaniel hire would do to Miles Sanders' career.
Greg Roman - Ravens OC
Another candidate with an extensive rushing attack history, Roman may be the key to unlock Miles Sanders' greatness. Here's Roman's rushing yards rank each year in the NFL as OC:
2011 (SF): 8th
2012 (SF): 4th
2013 (SF): 3rd
2014 (SF): 4th
2015 (Buf): 1st
2016 (Buf): 1st
2019 (Bal): 1st
2020 (Bal): 1st
His offensive schemes have helped Lamar Jackson look like a competent QB and have been almost impossible to stop on the ground. His QBs have also protected the ball well, with 2020 being the only season out of the top five in least interceptions thrown.
A head coach who values running the ball could help Wentz limit his mistakes and bring him back to the dynamic football he's used to playing.
Joe Brady - Panthers OC
This one is farfetched, but you know me: write it anyway!
Joe Brady has been a coach all over the field. He coached linebackers at William and Mary, grad assistant at Penn State from 2015-2016 on offense, spent 2017-2018 with the Saints as offensive assistant, and 2019 as LSU's passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach. Anyone remember Joe Burrow's 2019 season?
The Panthers offense isn't much improved from last season, but that can happen when you're missing Christian McCaffrey for a good chunk of games.
Teddy Bridgewater is having a career year YPG-wise (255.2) and is on his way to blowing by his career-high of 3,231 passing yards set back in 2015. Not bad for a "placeholder" QB.
Brady is an extremely bright offensive mind and could be the next great head coach. Jeffery Lurie would be wise to do whatever it takes to get Brady.
For a list of college candidates who could replace Doug Pederson, check out the next page.
Photo by Rich Graessle/PPI/Icon Sportswire
College
Ryan Day - Ohio State HC
You may remember Ryan Day from the 2015 season. Yeah, that 2015 season.
In his one season as Eagles' quarterback's coach, Sam Bradford averaged 266.1 YPG, his highest of his career.
His one-year stint in San Francisco with Chip Kelly in 2016 ended with a 2-14 record, but Colin Kaepernick was able to keep the mistakes down with a 16-4 TD-INT ratio.
As Ohio State's head coach, he's helped Dwayne Haskins look like an elite quarterback (he's not) and will soon have another quarterback taken in the top of the draft (Fields). With this on his resume, it can be argued that he can help Wentz realize his potential that he somehow forgot in 2020.
David Shaw - Stanford HC
It is unlikely that Shaw leaves Stanford anytime soon, but anyone with a history with Jeffery Lurie deserves consideration.
Shaw spent one season with the Eagles in 1997 as quality control coach.
In an interview in May 2020, Shaw stated that he's at Stanford to stay, but could a possible reunion with Zach Ertz sway him?
Lincoln Riley - Oklahoma HC
If the Eagles go this route, I thoroughly believe they will move on from Wentz sooner than later.
What more can be said that hasn't already been said about Riley? He almost completed a hat trick for Heisman winning quarterbacks (Mayfield, Murray, almost Hurts), he runs a dynamic offense, and he has Spencer Rattler playing like one of the best quarterbacks in the country.
However, hiring him, as stated above, may indicate that the Eagles will be Jalen Hurts' team sooner than later. With rumors of Carson Wentz's confidence being rattled from Foles' success and the Hurts selection, imagine what hiring Hurts' college coach would do.
Of course, Jeffery Lurie needs to do what's best for the team. If he feels Riley could unlock a dynamic offense under Wentz, then that's the move to make.
Did I forget anyone? Who do you want to replace Doug Pederson if the Eagles do decide to move on? Let me know!
Photo by Rich Graessle/PPI/Icon Sportswire
