Philadelphia Eagles: 7 head coaching candidates to watch
Will the Philadelphia Eagles go back to either a current or former college coach?
Lincoln Riley – Oklahoma head coach
Lincoln Riley’s name immediately came up in the Philadelphia Eagles’ head coach search as they look for the next innovative offensive guru.
According to Sports Illustrated reporter Ed Kracz, general manager Howie Roseman has already called Riley to gauge his interest in joining the Eagles.
Just 37-years-old, Riley has had a literal quarterback factory at Oklahoma, producing NFL talent such as Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. He’s got the innovative offense that Lurie has been looking for, the ability to develop quarterbacks, and would be a hire that excites a downtrodden fan base.
Last year, Riley turned down an opportunity to be the next Dallas Cowboys head coach, which would make hiring him in Philadelphia even sweeter.
If he takes the interview, Lurie and Roseman will pick Riley’s brain on Wentz and Hurts to see if he wants to work with his former Heisman finalist quarterback or reconstruct a former MVP candidate in Wentz.
Riley likely gave Hurts a glowing review when the Eagles scouted him last year, but Lurie sounds set on fixing Wentz. What would the environment be in the quarterbacks room if they bring in Hurts’ former college coach, someone he likely has a strong relationship with, while Wentz is left as the odd-man-out?
Joe Brady – Panthers offensive coordinator/former LSU coach
Jeffrey Lurie wants the Philadelphia Eagles to have an innovative offense. He didn’t find it with Chip Kelly, and Pederson turned stale after just five years. Lurie also wants someone who can build a winning quarterback despite people turning their backs on him.
Those are two things Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady could bring as an NFL head coach.
During his time with the LSU Tigers, Brady resurrected the career of Joe Burrow, taking a potential undrafted free agent and turning him into the number one overall pick in just one season.
Brady’s success with Burrow landed him the Panthers offensive coordinator job last offseason under Matt Rhule. Carolina was limited on offense this year, with Christian McCaffrey missing 13 games due to injuries, but they had two 1,000 yard receivers with Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback.
Despite limited NFL coaching experience, Brady has been getting head coach interviews already this year. On January 4th, it was reported that he received interview requests from the Chargers, Texans, and Falcons, three teams that either have a young quarterback or are likely to draft one this year.
If the Eagles want a quarterback guru who will bring a fresh mindset to the team, Brady will be a serious candidate.