Will Nick Sirianni remain as Eagles' coach? If not, here are top candidates to replace him
As Eagles coach Nick Sirianni meets with Eagles chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie in the coming days, we have learned that Lurie looks for two things in a head coach should he fire Sirianni: The ideal candidate is an offensive innovator and someone who's not consumed with power.
After all, that would break up the process that Lurie has established with general manager Howie Roseman having the final say on personnel decisions.
So unless Lurie is ready to break precedent, we can pretty much rule out the biggest coaching names available. That includes legendary New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel, former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh.
We can almost rule out a defensive-minded coach like Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
If Lurie's recent pattern holds, the next coach would likely be someone rather unknown like Sirianni or Doug Pederson. Neither of them was being pursued by other teams when the Eagles hired them − Pederson in 2016 and Sirianni in 2021.
Yet both took the Eagles to the Super Bowl in their second seasons. Pederson's team won it in the 2017-18 season while Sirianni's lost a heartbreaker 38-35 to the Kansas City Chiefs last season.
The common factor was maximizing the talents of the quarterback. For the Eagles, that's Jalen Hurts, who last spring signed a five-year extension worth as much as $255 million. Yet Hurts regressed somewhat this season after finishing as the MVP runner-up in 2022.
But Lurie's history goes back further. In 2013, he hired Chip Kelly out of the University of Oregon as his fast-paced offense took the NFL by storm. Kelly had the Eagles in the playoffs in his first season. In 1999, Lurie hired Green Bay quarterbacks coach Andy Reid.
Reid took the Eagles from 3-13 the year before he arrived at the playoffs in his second season. The year after, 2001, Reid and the Eagles went to four straight NFC championship games, winning one.
So who are the candidates who would fit that criteria?
Bobby Slowik, Houston Texans offensive coordinator
Slowik will be in demand after turning quarterback C.J. Stroud into a star as a rookie. But Slowik is just 36 years old and in his first season. Chances are, he won't care too much about the power structure with the Eagles. Plus, as good as Stroud is, Hurts is a few years ahead of him developmentally.
Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator
Johnson is another rising offensive coach. The difference with Slowik is he helped resurrect veteran quarterback Jared Goff behind a powerful running game led by rookie Jahmyr Gibbs. Johnson is 37 years old. He might be harder to get than Slowik, however.
Brian Johnson, Eagles offensive coordinator
This might sound ludicrous given how Johnson's first season as the Eagles OC went. But Johnson does have an advantage that others don't: He knows Hurts better than anybody. He knew Hurts as a toddler while playing for his father in high school. Maybe Johnson can convince Lurie that he's the best choice to bring Hurts back to the 2022 level, which is clearly the Eagles' No. 1 objective. Of course, running an entire team is quite a bit different.
Eric Bieniemy, Washington Commanders offensive coordinator
Bieniemy doesn't fit the mold as a young coordinator as he's 54 years old. But he has a few things going for him. He learned under Andy Reid, and no doubt would have the Reid seal of approval. That was how Pederson got the Eagles' job. Bieniemy was Reid's offensive coordinator during Patrick Mahomes' first four seasons as the starter, and that turned out pretty well. Plus, as Commanders' OC this season, he made QB Sam Howell look like Johnny Unitas in the two games against the Eagles. And as a former running back, Bieniemy certainly knows the importance of running the ball.
Todd Monken, Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator
Like Bieniemy, Monken is a bit older as he's 57 years old. But he has experience at both the pro and the college level. He's in his first season as the Ravens' OC, and Lamar Jackson is the likely MVP. He has also served as OC in Tampa Bay (2016-18) and Cleveland in 2019. Plus, he was Georgia's OC from 2020-22. It just so happened that the Eagles have five Georgia Bulldogs from those teams, albeit all are on defense.
Mike Bobo, University of Georgia offensive coordinator
Georgia coach Kirby Smart is probably unavailable considering that Smart makes a ton of money (10 years, $112.5 million) and his teams are in contention for a national championship every season. And Smart might want more power than Lurie is willing to give. But what about Bobo, his offensive coordinator? Bobo took over this season for Monken, but his spent several years as both a head coach and offensive coordinator at the college level.
Lincoln Riley, USC head coach
The Eagles interviewed Riley for their last opening. Back then, he was still at Oklahoma, where he coached Hurts for his senior season. And Lurie has always been impressed with his offense. But Riley has a similar contract as Smart, so he's probably out of the Eagles' price range.
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Will Nick Sirianni remain as Eagles coach? If not, some top candidates
