The Eagles held their annual season-ending press conferences.
Unlike the 2023 version, we’ll head into the offseason with uncertainty about the team’s identity, coaching staff, and direction on both sides of the football.
Brian Johnson and Sean Desai are out, while there are 20 pending free agents, but other than that, Philadelphia will enter the 2023 offseason with front-office continuity, draft assets, and a clear plan for improving around Jalen Hurts.
Here are 11 takeaways and notes from the presser.
Brian Johnson is out
The Eagles head coach confirmed that Brian Johnson has been fired as the team’s offensive coordinator.
HC Nick Sirianni confirmed that OC Brian Johnson was fired by the #Eagles.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) January 24, 2024
Vic Fangio is on his way
likely delayed by the news that a coach was headed home, Vic Fangio is now available to hire after parting ways with the Dolphins to be closer to his family.
The Dolphins and Vic Fangio have mutually agreed to part ways, sources tell me and @JFowlerESPN. Fangio now will be the top target for the Philadelphia Eagles to hire as their defensive coordinator, and a deal is expected. Miami is allowing Fangio to leave to be closer to his… pic.twitter.com/HjyMAC2S0p
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 24, 2024
The move would give Sirianni the coach he originally wanted upon losing Gannon to the Cardinals, but the major damage has been done after a year wasted with Sean Desai and Matt Patricia.
Sirianni looking to prove himself
Sirianni has made three straight playoff appearances to start his career. Still, the shine from the Super Bowl and 14-3 season has dissipated, and he’s now looking to regain control and confidence in his ability to lead.
Nick Sirianni says he is “hungry” to prove himself all over again to the Eagles and the city of Philadelphia#Eagles #NickSirianni pic.twitter.com/y6Ff7QlyCw
— Jeff Skversky (@JeffSkversky) January 24, 2024
Sirianni a potential lame duck
With questions stirring about who is picking his coaching staff, Sirianni could be coaching for his future with the Eagles in 2024.
I honestly feel bad for Nick Sirianni. His role moving forward appears to be nothing more than motivator, messenger, and someone to take the hit for the players/coaches/GM.
There is no reason for him to still be the HC.
— Jon Johnson (@jonjohnsonwip) January 24, 2024
New offensive coordinator will run his own ssytem
Sirianni appears content to let the next offensive coordinator install his system and scheme, something that should cause less confusion.
Nick Sirianni on his role if he’s to cede more of the offense to the OC:
I’ll be the head coach, much as it’s been. May sit in on more defensive meetings. #Eagles
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) January 24, 2024
Howie Roseman on roster building
Howie Roseman said re: #Eagles roster: you have to have a vision, a process, and can't "overreact to a result that maybe was just kind of an aberration."
Not sure if he was speaking generally or about '23 but..did he think #Eagles defense underperforming was an aberration? pic.twitter.com/2rlRhk6KWA
— Geoff Mosher (@GeoffPMosher) January 24, 2024
Howie Roseman on LB position
Roseman used typical GM jargon to describe his lack of urgency in addressing true depth at the linebacker position.
Howie Roseman on the linebacker position. #Eagles pic.twitter.com/rSdMQswXef
— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) January 24, 2024
Brian Johnson not the only staffer fired
Sirianni didn’t speak on who else joined Brian Johnson in getting fired, but there were other staffers who will depart for fresh and innovate ideas.
Nick Sirianni intimated he made other changes to the offensive coaching staff:
"But in addition to (Brian Johnson), it was a couple of other guys that I’ve been with for multiple years as well. Just wanted to bring in some fresh ideas.” https://t.co/JobTjcTsVk
— Brooks Kubena (@BKubena) January 24, 2024
Sirianni on what he's looking for in an OC
Sirianni was asked and gave some insight into what the offensive coordinator should bring going forward.
What Sirianni said he's looking for in an OC
– "A guy who has a vision"
– "A guy who is going to call the plays"
– "A guy who is able to coach a quarterback in the same sense"— Brooks Kubena (@BKubena) January 24, 2024
What Vic Fangio brings
Philadelphia has been running variations of the Fangio scheme for three years, but the archictect of the defense is on his way and all should be well.
In 2023, Miami's defense allowed:
-0.09 EPA/play (3rd)
41.8 success rate (9th)
-0.14 EPA/pass (6th)
8.8% sack rate (2nd)
1,280 rushing yards (2nd)Curious move for a top-10 defense!
Stats via @SumerSports https://t.co/N69v9sYddD
— Nikhil Mehta (@nmehtaUR2022) January 24, 2024
Sirianni on Eagles offense getting stale
Nick Sirianni on why the offense got so stale. #Eagles pic.twitter.com/ntoGE5rdG3
— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) January 24, 2024
Nick Sirianni on where Jalen Hurts needs to improved
Hurts did some really good things in 2023, but he regressed in some sense and he’ll have another summer of work and retooling.
Nick Sirianni on what Jalen Hurts needs to improve on. #Eagles pic.twitter.com/7DcZLaGF4u
— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) January 24, 2024
Sirianni on consulting Jalen Hurts with the firing of Brian Johnson
Brian Johnson has been a friend of the Hurts family since playing for Averion Hurts in high school.
Did Eagles consult Jalen Hurts before firing OC Brian Johnson?
Sirianni: "Obviously we talk about everything & we communicate on everything. Won’t get into specific discussions on what we talk about, but we talk about everything.
"Obviously they have a relationship."
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) January 24, 2024
Howie Roseman defends Nick Sirianni
"Before the stretch, we were 26-5…, that is hard to do in this league. We were 33-11 up to that point. Not okay finishing 1-6. But it is hard to find someone who can do that."
-Howie Roseman talking about Nick Sirianni
— 97.5 The Fanatic (@975TheFanatic) January 24, 2024
Philadelphia collapsed down the stretch, but the Eagles GM showed support when it was needed the most.
Eagles GM Howie Roseman defends Nick Sirianni despite losing 6-7 to finish season #Eagles #NFL pic.twitter.com/wUOzzj3r2l
— Jeff Skversky (@JeffSkversky) January 24, 2024
Sirianni wasn't in danger
Philadelphia’s collapse left some in the media wondering if Sirianni’s job was ever in jeopardy.
On Wednesday, the head coach said it was business as usual, and he didn’t enter any post playoff meetings looking to sell himself.
Sirianni said his meeting with #Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie was “business as usual,” rather than a meeting where he had to sell his vision to ownership.
He did concede that the 1-6 stretch led to him feeling like he has to “prove myself again to Lurie and Howie.”
— EJ Smith (@EJSmith94) January 24, 2024
