Eagles fire Pederson 3 years after title
PHILADELPHIA — Doug Pederson lost his job Monday 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.
“Very few people probably after success deserve to lose their job,” Lurie said. “This is much more about the evaluation of whether the Eagles moving forward, our best option is to have a new coach and that’s really what it’s about. … He did not deserve to be let go.”
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.
“Although I am disappointed that this chapter of my career has come to an end, I am extremely proud of what we accomplished together,” Pederson said in a statement.
Pederson’s loyalty to his coaching staff and frustration with the front office’s interference became a major issue, according to an Associated Press source.
Cowboys hire Quinn to take over defense
The Dallas Cowboys agreed to terms Monday with former Atlanta head coach Dan Quinn to be their 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 firstyear coach Mike McCarthy. Dallas allowed a franchiserecord 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.
Odds and ends
The New York Jets have interviewed Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and New Orleans Saints defensive backs coach Aaron Glenn for their head coaching vacancy. ... The Atlanta Falcons conducted interviews with Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Todd Bowles for their head coaching job. ... Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs won’t face a DUI charge in his single-vehicle crash last week near McCarran International Airport, authorities said. Blood test results showed Jacobs’ bloodalcohol level did not reach the 0.08 percent level required to pursue the charge.