Eagles’ Offensive Coordinator Search Raises Bigger Questions About Nick Sirianni’s Role
Three weeks ago, Nick Sirianni stood at the podium and owned the Eagles’ offensive struggles. After a 23-19 home loss to the 49ers in the NFC Wild Card round, he announced that Kevin Patullo was out as offensive coordinator.
It was a tough but telling move-Patullo, a longtime colleague who came with Sirianni from Indianapolis in 2021, had been given the reins to the offense and couldn’t get it moving. Sirianni said he tried to help, stepping in more as the season went on.
But the results didn’t follow.
“I told you guys, I got involved more,” Sirianni said in his postseason press conference. “At the end of the day, I did what I thought was best for the football team. We didn't reach our goals, so obviously it didn't work out.”
That admission-Sirianni taking a more active role in the offense down the stretch-wasn’t exactly a confidence booster. The Eagles offense didn’t just stall, it regressed.
And now, the question isn’t just who will call plays in 2026. It’s whether Sirianni himself might be stepping back into that role.
Sirianni’s stated goal was to find someone who could “evolve” the offense. And to his credit, the Eagles have cast a wide net in their search, interviewing a variety of candidates from different systems and coaching trees-not just Sirianni’s own. Names like Brian Daboll and Mike McDaniel reportedly drew interest, though both opted for coordinator jobs elsewhere.
But then came a twist.
During a Wednesday morning radio appearance on 97.5 The Fanatic, ESPN’s Adam Schefter hinted that the Eagles’ changes might go beyond just hiring a new offensive coordinator. As the interview wrapped up, co-host Andrew Salciunas thanked Schefter and suggested they might be reacting to a new OC hire next week. That’s when Schefter dropped a little teaser.
“And ... and ... and maybe it'll be even more than that by next week,” he said.
Naturally, co-host John Kincade pushed for clarification.
“Wait a minute, more than that? What are you hinting at?”
Schefter replied, “Maybe it'll be more than a discussion on an offensive coordinator, we'll see.”
It was a cryptic moment, but one that raised eyebrows. Was Schefter hinting at a larger shake-up?
A shift in coaching responsibilities? A new direction entirely?
Later that day, Schefter went on ESPN’s NFL Live and elaborated-at least a little. He confirmed that the Eagles had conducted second interviews with Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter and Packers quarterbacks coach Sean Mannion.
He also emphasized that the team isn’t rushing the decision. They’re being “diligent,” he said, in finding the right fit.
Then came the eyebrow-raiser.
“They’ve been through any number of candidates,” Schefter said. “They don’t appear to be in any rush to name somebody. They have Nick Sirianni, who always could call the offense if they can’t find somebody worthy of doing the job.”
That’s a loaded statement.
Sirianni calling plays again? That’s not just a footnote-it’s a storyline.
This is the same coach who didn’t call plays as offensive coordinator in Indianapolis. The same coach who gave up play-calling duties midway through his first season in Philadelphia.
The same coach who, by his own admission, jumped in to help Patullo this season-and still couldn’t get the offense to click.
Now, to be clear, this isn’t quite Andy Reid handing the defense to offensive line coach Juan Castillo in 2011. But it’s in the same ballpark. If the Eagles can’t find the right offensive coordinator, and Sirianni ends up retaking the wheel, it changes the entire dynamic heading into 2026.
Schefter did add a note of optimism, saying the Eagles believe there are enough quality candidates out there and that they’ll land a “good, strong offensive coordinator.” But if that person turns out to be Sirianni himself, the margin for error shrinks considerably.
The Eagles fired Patullo on January 13. Since then, the search has been deliberate, but the clock is ticking.
Whoever takes over will inherit an offense that’s lost steam each season since peaking in 2022, when it ranked third in both yards and points. The next hire-or decision-won’t just shape the offense.
It could define Sirianni’s tenure.
And if the head coach ends up calling the plays again, the Eagles’ 2026 season just got a whole lot more intriguing.