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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Glenn Erby

10 offensive coordinator candidates the Eagles could target if Brian Johnson departs

Nick Sirianni officially has his own coaching tree after the Cardinals hired Jonathan Gannon and the Colts hired Shane Steichen in the 2023 coaching carousel.

Sirianni rightfully gets a lot of credit for the Eagles’ success.

Still, after a late-season meltdown that saw the Eagles go 1-6 in their final seven games, including the playoffs, the head coach and his assistant coaches could be on the hot seat.

Philadelphia’s third-year head coach has far exceeded expectations, but it’s clear that Gannon and Steichen played far more significant roles than we thought.

Kliff Kingsbury | USC quarterbacks coach

The former Arizona Cardinals head coach and now USC Trojans assistant coach Kliff Kingsbury talks to quarterback Caleb Williams (13) during the pregame warmup before playing the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Sept. 23, 2023.

Kingsbury could bring head coaching experience and offensive genius to Sirianni’s staff.

He led the Arizona Cardinals for four years (2019-22) and Texas Tech for six years (2013-18), helping to develop Patrick Mahomes and Kyler Murray at critical points in their careers.

During Murray’s third season in the NFL, the former Sooners star ranked second in completion percentage, seventh in QBR, eighth in passer rating and passing yards per game, and 11th in adjusted net yards per attempt.

The Cardinals were 11-6 that season.

Zac Robinson | Rams passing-game coordinator/QB coach

Jul 26, 2023; Irvine, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterbacks coach Zac Robinson during training camp at UC Irvine. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Another coach off the Sean McVay or Kyle Shanahan school of thought, Robinson, might be the perfect candidate.  He has been the Los Angeles Rams’ passing-game coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the last two years.

Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy

Jan 7, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) talks with Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Bieniemy left the Chiefs last offseason to get out from under Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes’ shadow and give himself a better chance at becoming a head coach.

His stint with Washington did nothing to increase his chances at a job in this cycle, but during his five years in Kansas City, the Chiefs finished as the NFL’s top total offense three times. Since his departure, they rank just ninth in that category, while Patrick Mahomes is on pace to post the worst passer rating (92.6) and QBR (62.5) of his career as a full-time starter.

 

Liam Coen | Kentucky offensive coordinator

11. (tie) Liam Coen, Kentucky offensive coordinator, $1.7 million.

The Rhode Island native played quarterback at UMass from 2004 to 2008 where he with Victor Cruz before beginning his coaching career in 2010 as an assistant at Brown.

Coen started coaching at small colleges throughout New England before McVay plucked him away from Maine (where he was the offensive coordinator) to be the Rams’ assistant wide receivers coach.

After three years in L.A., Coen returned to the college game, where he helped turn Will Levis into a second-round pick.

Coen spent 2022 as McVay’s offensive coordinator before returning to Kentucky last season.

Josh McDaniels

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels reacts to a play against Detroit Lions during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023.

McDaniel’s should never be an NFL head coach again, but you can’t deny his offensive accumen, or results as a coordinator.

McDaniels got Jones to play the best football of his three-year career as a rookie in 2021. Jones threw 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions with a 92.5 passer rating that season, leading the Patriots to a 10-7 record and a playoff berth.

Chad O’Shea | Browns passing-game coordinator/receivers coach

CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 31: Cleveland Browns wide receivers coach Chad O’Shea smiles during warmups before a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 31, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

O’Shea spent a decade working under Bill Belichick with the Patriots from 2009 to 2018.

O’Shea then moved to the Cleveland Browns, where he has worked under Kevin Stefanski in a scheme that heavily draws from Shanahan and Gary Kubiak principles.

O’Shea helped develop the passing attack that led to Joe Flacco’s stunning rise late in the season.

Nick Caley, Rams tight ends coach

Jun 14, 2023; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams tight ends coach Nick Caley and tight end Christian Sims (46) during minicamp at Cal Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The 40-year-old Caley was in New England from 2015-2022, mainly working with tight ends. Caley interviewed for the Patriots offensive coordinator job last season.

He also interviewed with the Texans and Jets last offseason for their offensive coordinator jobs. After spending a season with Sean McVay in Los Angeles, Caley could bring some innovation to the Eagles offense.

Darrell Bevell | Dolphins quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator

Nov 19, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (L) works with quarterbacks coordinator Darrell Bevell (R) prior to the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Bevell was the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks when they won the Super.

Bevell has worked with Brett Favre, Brad Johnson, Russell Wilson, Matthew Stafford, Trevor Lawrence,, and Tua Tagovailoa. Under coach Mike McDaniel, the Dolphins have the best passing offense and second-best scoring offense this season.

Bevell’s best seasons as an offensive coordinator were with the 2009 Vikings (fifth in yards, second in scoring) and 2015 Seahawks (fourth in yards and scoring).

Byron Leftwich

Sep 19, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks with offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

A former NFL quarterback and Super Bowl-winning offensive coordinator, Leftwich guided a Buccaneers offense that was top-three in the NFL in scoring and either first or second in the league in passing yards during his tenure.

In all, Leftwich has spent five seasons as an NFL offensive coordinator and seven years as an NFL assistant coach that includes two seasons as a quarterbacks coach.

Shane Waldron

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – NOVEMBER 12: Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron of the Seattle Seahawks talks to Geno Smith #7 of the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter against the Washington Commanders at Lumen Field on November 12, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Waldron is an offensive-minded coach who comes from the Sean McVay coaching tree, and added explosive elements to the Seahawks scheme.

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