The Philadelphia Eagles are on the hunt for a new offensive coordinator, and two familiar names have emerged as serious contenders: Matt Nagy and Bobby Slowik Jr. Both bring strong resumes-and more than a few ties to the Delaware Valley-to the table as the Eagles look to reset their offense heading into 2026.
Let’s break down what each candidate brings to the table, and why their names are generating buzz in Philly.
Matt Nagy: A Delaware Blue Hen With Deep NFL Roots
Matt Nagy’s football journey has been closely intertwined with the Eagles and the greater Philadelphia area for decades. A Manheim, Pennsylvania native and University of Delaware alum, Nagy carved out a prolific college career that still resonates in Blue Hens lore.
From 1997 to 2000, he rewrote the Delaware record books-his 8,214 career passing yards and 58 touchdowns still stand tall. He once torched UConn for 556 yards in a single game, and nearly matched that with 456 yards against Villanova.
After a stint in the Arena Football League, Nagy transitioned to coaching, starting as an intern with the Eagles in 2009 under Andy Reid. That move kicked off a long coaching relationship with Reid, which would eventually carry him to Kansas City. Nagy climbed the ranks from offensive assistant to quarterbacks coach, and then to co-offensive coordinator after Doug Pederson left to coach the Eagles.
In 2017, Nagy became the Chiefs' offensive coordinator-the same year Kansas City drafted Patrick Mahomes. While Mahomes sat behind Alex Smith that season, Nagy played a key role in shaping the offensive system Mahomes would eventually thrive in. That success earned Nagy a shot as head coach of the Chicago Bears in 2018.
Nagy’s first year in Chicago was a high point. He led the Bears to a 12-4 record and their first playoff appearance since 2010. But his postseason debut ended in heartbreak-Eagles fans will remember the “double doink” game, when Cody Parkey’s last-second field goal attempt bounced off the upright and crossbar, sealing a wild-card win for Philly.
Nagy’s tenure in Chicago had its ups and downs. He made the playoffs again in 2020 with an 8-8 squad but was ultimately let go after the 2021 season, finishing with a 35-33 record. Context matters here-he navigated that stretch with Mitchell Trubisky and Justin Fields under center, two quarterbacks still trying to find their NFL footing.
He returned to Kansas City in 2022 as quarterbacks coach, reuniting with Mahomes. That season ended with a Super Bowl win over the Eagles, 38-35.
The following year, Nagy was promoted to offensive coordinator, and the Chiefs won another title. But in 2024, the Eagles got their revenge, beating Kansas City 40-22 in the Super Bowl.
This past season, however, was a different story. The Chiefs stumbled to a 6-11 finish after Mahomes tore his ACL and missed the final stretch. With the offense sputtering, Kansas City opted not to renew Nagy’s contract and brought back Eric Bieniemy as OC.
Still, Nagy’s track record-particularly his work with Mahomes and his deep roots in the area-make him a compelling candidate. He’s also reportedly interviewed for head coaching jobs this cycle, so the Eagles aren’t the only team taking notice.
Bobby Slowik Jr.: A Rising Star With Football in His Blood
Bobby Slowik Jr. may not have the same name recognition as Nagy, but he’s quickly becoming one of the more intriguing young minds in the NFL coaching world. And like Nagy, his football story has ties to Delaware and the Northeast.
Slowik’s connection to Delaware runs through his family. His father, Bob Slowik, played at the University of Delaware in the mid-1970s and went on to a long coaching career that spans both the NFL and CFL.
His mother, Carol Thomson Slowik, is a Newark High School and UD graduate who starred in track and field and earned a spot in the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame. Her father, Bill Thomson, is also a Hall of Famer.
Bobby was born in Princeton, New Jersey, in 1987 while his father was coaching at Rutgers. He bounced around as a coach’s kid, attending high school in Green Bay while his dad was with the Packers. Bob Slowik would go on to serve as defensive coordinator for four different NFL teams and is now with the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders.
As for Bobby, his playing days were spent at Michigan Tech, where he lined up as a wide receiver from 2006 to 2008. He started his coaching career on the defensive side of the ball, working as a video assistant and then a defensive assistant in Washington under Mike Shanahan.
After a few years as an analyst at Pro Football Focus, he returned to coaching with Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco in 2017. There, he made the transition to offense, eventually becoming the 49ers’ passing game coordinator in 2022.
That experience paved the way for his next big step-offensive coordinator of the Houston Texans. In his first season, he helped rookie quarterback C.J.
Stroud light up the league. Stroud threw for over 4,000 yards, won Offensive Rookie of the Year, and led the Texans to the playoffs.
It was a breakout year for both quarterback and coordinator.
But the NFL moves fast. After a less consistent 2024 campaign and another early playoff exit, Slowik was let go. He landed in Miami as the Dolphins’ passing game coordinator under Mike McDaniel, but after the team’s disappointing season, McDaniel was fired, and the staff was cleared out.
Despite the setback, Slowik remains a hot name in coaching circles. His offensive creativity, experience with young quarterbacks, and pedigree make him an intriguing fit for a team like the Eagles-especially one that’s looking to evolve its offense around a dynamic quarterback.
What’s Next for the Eagles?
The Eagles have cast a wide net-reportedly interviewing around 10 candidates-but both Nagy and Slowik stand out for different reasons. Nagy offers experience, familiarity with the organization, and a proven ability to lead a room. Slowik brings innovation, upside, and a fresh approach to offensive design.
With the NFC East getting tighter and the Eagles looking to bounce back from a turbulent season, this hire will be critical. Whether they go with the seasoned veteran or the rising star, the Eagles are clearly looking for someone who can unlock the full potential of their offense-and help them make another run at the Super Bowl.