The Philadelphia Eagles have found their new offensive coordinator, and it’s a name that might’ve caught some fans off guard: Sean Mannion. If you’re thinking, “Wait, the former quarterback Sean Mannion?” - you’re not alone. But dig a little deeper, and there’s more to this hire than meets the eye.
Mannion, most recently the quarterbacks coach in Green Bay, is stepping into a significant role in Philly. And while he may not have been a household name among Eagles fans before this week, he’s been quietly building a reputation inside NFL circles - particularly within the coaching tree that’s become the league’s offensive gold standard.
Why Packers Fans Are Paying Attention
Interestingly, Mannion’s departure from Green Bay has stirred up some reaction among Packers fans - not necessarily because he was a fixture of the coaching staff, but because of what his exit represents. There’s been growing frustration in Green Bay with the current offensive structure under head coach Matt LaFleur and long-tenured offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich.
Some fans were hoping for a broader shake-up on that side of the ball this offseason. Instead, the Packers’ staff has remained largely intact, aside from a few departures to Miami under new Dolphins defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.
Mannion, who was quietly elevated in visibility after being named offensive coordinator for the West team in the East-West Shrine Bowl, became a name fans latched onto as a possible fresh voice for Green Bay’s offense. That opportunity never came - and now he’s Philly’s OC.
How He’s Viewed Inside the Packers Building
Inside the building, Mannion was well-regarded. LaFleur has spoken positively about him, dating back to their time together with the Los Angeles Rams.
Known as a smart, cerebral quarterback during his playing days, Mannion brought that same approach to coaching. Players reportedly liked him, though it’s fair to question how much direct impact he had in his lone season as quarterbacks coach.
That’s not a knock - it’s just reality in a layered coaching structure. Between LaFleur, Stenavich, pass game coordinator Jason Vrable, and senior offensive assistant Luke Getsy (a former QB coach himself), there were a lot of voices in the room. So while Mannion was in the mix during Jordan Love’s breakout season and Malik Willis’ solid performances in relief, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly how much of that development was his doing.
Can He Succeed as an NFL Offensive Coordinator?
That’s the million-dollar question. The early signs are promising.
Mannion’s work at the East-West Shrine Bowl caught the attention of those watching closely. The West team, under his guidance, ran a lot of Green Bay’s offensive staples - bootlegs, play-action from under center, and a rhythm-based passing attack that fits right in with what we've come to expect from the LaFleur-McVay-Shanahan coaching tree.
What will be particularly interesting in Philadelphia is how Mannion adapts his system to fit Jalen Hurts’ skill set - especially in the run game. In Green Bay, when Malik Willis was pressed into action, the Packers leaned into designed QB runs and option looks.
Stenavich, a former offensive line coach, was credited with bringing in the “spinner” series - a creative wrinkle that helped unlock more from the quarterback run game. Whether Mannion brings similar concepts to Philly or evolves them further will be a key storyline to watch.
The Roots of His Football Mind
For those unfamiliar with Mannion’s background, he’s not just a former NFL backup - he’s a guy who left Oregon State as the Pac-12’s all-time passing leader. He played under Mike Riley, who ran a version of the offense that predated the McVay-style jet motion and boot-action concepts that are now commonplace. So when you look at the coaching influences Mannion has had - from Riley to McVay, LaFleur, Liam Coen, Kevin O’Connell, and the Kubiak coaching lineage - it’s clear he’s been steeped in modern offensive philosophy for a long time.
That’s what makes this hire intriguing. Mannion may not have the years of experience some coordinators boast, but he’s been immersed in one of the most successful offensive systems in football, both as a player and a coach. Now, he gets a chance to put his own spin on it in Philadelphia.
For the Eagles, this isn’t just a shot in the dark - it’s a calculated move to tap into a rising offensive mind. And for Mannion, it’s a chance to prove that he’s ready to run the show.