Eagles OC Steichen expected to take Colts jobs
GLENDALE, ARIZ. >> Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen is a simple contract agreement away from becoming the next head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, a source said, confirming an ESPN report.
Additionally, Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon is the frontrunner to become the next head coach of the Arizona Cardinals according to a source who added that Gannon will meet Monday with the team. The other finalist for the job is Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.
ESPN reported that Vic Fangio, the father of modern defense is completing a two-week contract as a consultant to the Eagles. Fangio, who dropped by Eagles training camp this past summer, helped Gannon game-plan for the Chiefs and helped the Eagles selfscout their offense. Fangio also is a mentor for Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni.
Steichen is considered one of the up-and-coming play-callers in the NFL. Since taking over that duty from Nick Sirianni, the Eagles are 23-7 in games Steichen has called including 2-1 in the playoffs.
This season the Eagles’ offense ranked third in the league averaging 28.1 points and 389.1 yards and quarterback Jalen Hurts finished second to Patrick Mahomes in the MVP voting.
Gannon’s defense led the league in sacks (70) and pass defense (178.9 ypg.). The Eagles were second in yards allowed (301.5 per game) and eighth (20.2) in points allowed.
If the Eagles stay in house to replace Steichen the candidates would be passing game coordinator Kevin Patullo, quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson or possibly offensive line coach/run game coordinator
Jeff Stoutland.
Defensive passing game coordinator Dennard Wilson would be an in house candidate to succeed Gannon.
Alabama coach Nick Saban delivered a “go get ‘em” tweet to the Eagles’ Crimson Tide players in Super Bowl LVII.
“This is to Jalen, Landon,
Smitty, Josh. This is what you work for. I’m so proud of you guys for having a great season. This is what you work for to have a chance like this to play in the Super Bowl. I wish you the best of luck. We’ll be watching, we’ll be rooting for you. You guys have a good one, man. We’ll be pulling for you. God bless you. Roll Tide.”
Saban, you may recall, gave up on Hurts in favor of Tua Tagovailoa.
Win or lose Sunday, the price of a contract extension for Hurts is about to go up for the Eagles.
Unless the Baltimore Ravens lock in a new contract for quarterback Lamar Jackson, the team will place the franchise tag on him.
The one-year exclusive franchise tag is $55 million basically because it reflects the inflated contract Deshaun Watson got with the Browns. The non-exclusive franchise tag is $32.416, which gives other teams the opportunity to bid on the services of the franchised player. In this case the Ravens would have the opportunity to match the deal or they would be entitled to compensation.
The exclusive franchise tag prevents the player from negotiating with other teams.
Eagles punt returner/ wide receiver Britain Covey tested his sore left hamstring in pregame and was kept active.
Punter Aaryn Siposs also is active.
Greg Ward, activated from the practice squad, was scratched along with quarterback Ian Book, defensive backs Josiah Scott and Anthony Harris, and linebacker Kyron Johnson.
The Chiefs scratched quarterback Shane Buechele running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, defensive end Joshua Kaindoh, center Austin Reiter, offensive tackle Darian Kinnard, tight end Blake Bell and defensive end Malik Herring.
An Eagles win and the victory parade is (pssst!) Thursday.
Get those work excuses ready.