National reaction to Matt Patricia replacing Sean Desai as Eagles defensive play-caller
In a move that can only be described as shocking, the Eagles have moved Sean Desai to another role on the staff, elevating senior assistant Matt Patricia to the role of defensive coordinator.
A little @Eagles scoopage today: Philly very quietly made a change at defensive coordinator this week moving out Sean Desai and replacing him with Matt Patricia. Desai remains with the team in different capacity but Patricia now runs and calls the defense @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/Uxq254wQkg
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) December 17, 2023
Ian Rapoport reported Sunday on NFL GameDay Morning that Patricia will be on the sideline calling the plays into the green dot player starting Monday night against the Seattle Seahawks.
Defensive coordinator Sean Desai will move to the coaching booth, where he’d called plays from while DC with the Bears in 2021, per Rapoport.
Jay Glazer
A little @Eagles scoopage today: Philly very quietly made a change at defensive coordinator this week moving out Sean Desai to another position and replacing him with Matt Patricia. Desai remains with the team in different capacity but Patricia now runs and calls the defense…
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) December 17, 2023
ESP
This has to be about more than just the last few games.
Moving on from Desai after a few bad games against elite offenses would be a very reactionary move and out of character for the #Eagles
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) December 17, 2023
Noah Becker
You are 10-3 and you went through a process this offseason that resulted in Desai. You do not then panic in Week 15 and demote him in favor of a guy who’s a well-known failure at the job. https://t.co/hEF8WRNnhU
— Noah Becker (@Noah_Becker) December 17, 2023
Jimmy Kempski
The Eagles faced virtually no adversity whatsoever in 2022. I was curious how they'd handle it when they inevitably would. And, uh, so far… interesting, to put it mildly.
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) December 17, 2023
Ike Reese
👀🤷🏾♂️ https://t.co/8WdHWhtLn5
— Ike Reese (@Ike58Reese) December 17, 2023
Bo Wulf
Deeply unserious week for the organization. https://t.co/0dbjCqNWic
— Bo Wulf (@Bo_Wulf) December 17, 2023
John Clark
The Eagles have seemingly made a major change at defensive coordinator according to @JayGlazer. Assistant coach Matt Patricia will now be calling the defense and running the defense and he will do it from the sideline. Defensive coordinator Sean Desai has been moved up to the… pic.twitter.com/cUkgU93otw
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) December 17, 2023
Bill Barnwell
That's …an interesting change to make in mid-December! https://t.co/o4S7dr6stT
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) December 17, 2023
Ari Meirov
Matt Patricia's last four years:
2020: Final year as Lions HC
2021: Working in Patriots front office
2022: Calling offensive plays for the Patriots.
2023: Calling defensive plays for the Eagles. https://t.co/CZVStUKP8X
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 17, 2023
Sheil Kapadia
Key sentence from Glazer that cuts through the spin: “Patricia now runs and calls the defense.”
If there were an established defensive coach in the building, ok. Maybe.
Giving Matt Patricia more responsibility has always been a bad idea. Smells of pure panic for a 10-3 team. https://t.co/m7tO48h9f4
— Sheil Kapadia (@SheilKapadia) December 17, 2023
Ian Rapoport
The Insiders on @NFLGameDay: Along with Jalen Hurts being listed as questionable, there was more #Eagles news — as Matt Patricia takes a more promiment role in the defense. Plus, #Rams DT Aaron Donald will play and the future of #Patriots coach Bill Belichick. pic.twitter.com/Q7VAzgfl3N
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 17, 2023
SNF on NBC
Matt Patricia takes over the defensive play calling in Philly. pic.twitter.com/Gd1WOYuMp0
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) December 17, 2023
O.J. Spivey
Matt Patricia reportedly running the Eagles defense now. Huge news. pic.twitter.com/zI6Lu3N5QE
— O.J. Spivey (@OJPhilly) December 17, 2023
Jeff McLane
Sean Desai is no longer the #Eagles DC and has been replaced by Matt Patricia, an #Eagles source confirms @JayGlazer report.
Desai will remain on staff in another role.
Nick Sirianni shakes up his staff after two poor defensive performances.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) December 17, 2023
Jeff Kerr
Matt Patricia as DC — with #Patriots
PPG ranks
2012 — 9th
2013 — 10th
2014 — 8th
2015 — 10th
2016 — 1st
2017 — 5thTaking over an #Eagles defense that's 23rd in PPG allowed.
— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) December 17, 2023
Zach Berman
Thought this loss to the coaching staff was significant at the time, and seems even more notable now… https://t.co/O2KWaOTKYD
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) December 17, 2023
