Pederson, Eagles part ways 3 years after SB win
Belichick says he will not receive Presidential Medal of Freedom
PHILADELPHIA — Doug Pederson lost his job less than three years after he led the Philadelphia Eagles to the franchise’s only Super Bowl title.
Pederson was 42-37-1 in five seasons. He guided the Eagles to two division championships and three playoff appearances before going 4-11-1 in 2020.
Owner Jeffrey Lurie made the decision after meeting with Pederson last week and again Monday.
Pederson had two years remaining on his contract. Lurie said he wouldn’t be surprised if another team hired Pederson before the end of the week.
Pederson’s loyalty to his coaching staff and frustration with the front office’s interference became a major issue, according to a person familiar with the decision who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the conversations. The person also said Pederson and general manager Howie Roseman weren’t on the same page regarding many personnel moves, including draft picks and use of veteran players.
PATRIOTS: New England coach Bill Belichick said on Monday night that he will not receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, saying “remaining true to the
people, team and country I love outweigh the benefits of any individual award.”
In a one-paragraph statement, the sixtime Super Bowl winning coach did not say explicitly that he had turned down the offer from President Donald Trump, instead explaining “the decision has been made not to move forward with the award” in the wake of last week’s deadly siege on the U.S. Capitol.
“Recently, I was offered the opportunity to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which I was flattered by out of respect for what the honor represents and admiration for prior recipients,” the coach said in a statement, which was forwarded to The Associated Press by the team.
“Subsequently, the tragic events of last week occurred and the decision has been made not to move forward with the award. Above all, I am an American citizen with great reverence for our nation’s values, freedom and democracy. I know I also represent my family and the New England Patriots team.”
Although he describes himself as apolitical, Belichick wrote Trump a letter during the 2016 presidential campaign that the candidate read aloud at a rally in the days before the election. Belichick has said the two are friends.
COWBOYS: Dallas agreed to terms Monday with former Atlanta coach Dan Quinn as defensive coordinator, turning over a unit that was among the worst in franchise history to someone who built his reputation on defense in Seattle.
Quinn was already on the hot seat with the Falcons before an 0-5 start that included Atlanta becoming the first team in NFL history to lose back-to-back games after leading by at least 15 points in the fourth quarter. One of those losses was to the Cowboys.
The 50-year-old Quinn replaces Mike Nolan, who lasted just one season as the most important hire for first-year coach Mike McCarthy. Dallas allowed a franchise-record 473 points (29.6 per game) and finished 31st in the NFL in run defense while going 6-10. The Cowboys also fired defensive line coach Jim Tomsula.
FALCONS: Atlanta has interviewed Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Todd Bowles for its head coaching job.
The Falcons said they held virtual interviews with both candidates on Monday. Smith also interviewed for the Jets’ head coaching vacancy on Monday.
The Falcons have interviewed seven candidates, including Atlanta interim coach Raheem Morris.
JETS: The New York Jets interviewed New Orleans Saints defensive backs coach Aaron Glenn, as well as Smith, on Monday for their head coaching vacancy.
New York, which fired Adam Gase after two seasons, spoke to Buffalo offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, Indianapolis defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley on Sunday. The Jets have also interviewed Kansas City offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, former Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis, San Francisco defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and Carolina offensive coordinator Joe Brady.
Doug Pederson, who was fired Monday by Philadelphia, could also emerge as a candidate.
RAIDERS: Las Vegas Raiders player Josh Jacobs won’t face a driving under the influence charge in his single-vehicle crash last week near McCarran International Airport, authorities said Monday.
Blood test results showed Jacobs’ bloodalcohol level did not reach the 0.08% level required to pursue a drunken driving charge, prosecutor Eric Bauman said.
Bauman and Jacobs’ attorneys, Richard Schonfeld and David Chesnoff, said the 22-year-old running back still has a March 8 court date on a failure to exercise due care traffic violation related to the crash.
The attorneys had said that Jacobs would plead not guilty if he was charged with a crime in the Jan. 4 crash. Chesnoff declined further comment on Monday.
Jacobs, who lives in Las Vegas, received several stitches at a hospital for a cut forehead after the 4:43 a.m. crash into a tunnel wall at the Las Vegas airport.