The Philadelphia Eagles are continuing their offseason overhaul, and the latest addition to Nick Sirianni’s retooled staff brings a strong defensive pedigree. Mike Pellegrino, most recently the nickelbacks coach for the Buffalo Bills, is headed to Philly as the team’s new defensive backs coach. It’s another calculated move by the Eagles as they look to bounce back from their early playoff exit at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers.
Pellegrino might only be 32, but he brings a decade of NFL coaching experience - and a résumé that’s hard to ignore. He broke into the league with the New England Patriots back in 2015 as a coaching assistant and quickly climbed the ladder, becoming the team’s cornerbacks coach by 2019. During his time in Foxborough, Pellegrino was part of two Super Bowl-winning staffs and played a key role in developing some of the league’s top secondary talent.
We’re talking about names like Stephon Gilmore, who earned Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2019 under Pellegrino’s watch. J.C.
Jackson, a 2021 Second Team All-Pro, and Christian Gonzalez, who earned that same nod in 2024, also blossomed under his guidance. That kind of track record doesn’t happen by accident - Pellegrino has shown he knows how to get the best out of his defensive backs, whether they’re seasoned vets or rising stars.
The #Eagles are set to hire #Bills nickels coach Mike Pellegrino as a defensive backs coach, sources tell @CBSSports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) February 13, 2026
Before Buffalo, the 32-year old Pellegrino worked for the Patriots for 10 seasons, including the final six as cornerbacks coach. pic.twitter.com/56NXDlf0oY
After a decade in New England, Pellegrino made the move to Buffalo in 2025, joining Sean McDermott’s staff as the Bills’ nickelbacks coach. That unit was one of the most consistent in the league, helping anchor a defense that thrived in both man and zone schemes. Pellegrino’s ability to coach versatile DBs who can handle complex coverage assignments makes him a strong fit for what the Eagles are trying to build.
This hire is part of a broader staff shakeup in Philly. The Eagles already moved on from offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo and brought in Sean Mannion, formerly the Packers’ quarterbacks coach, to take over the offense. They also added Chris Kuper from the Vikings to lead the offensive line - another sign that the front office is leaving no stone unturned after a disappointing finish to the season.
Bringing in Pellegrino signals a clear commitment to revamping the secondary, a unit that struggled with consistency down the stretch. With his mix of championship experience, player development chops, and familiarity with both man-heavy and hybrid schemes, he’s positioned to make an immediate impact.
For the Eagles, it’s not just about bouncing back - it’s about building a staff that can elevate the roster on both sides of the ball. Pellegrino’s arrival is another step in that direction.