After more than two weeks of searching, the Philadelphia Eagles have their new offensive coordinator: Sean Mannion. The former NFL quarterback and most recently the Packers’ quarterbacks coach will take over as the Eagles’ play-caller heading into the 2026 season.
It’s a bold move-and one that signals the Eagles are betting on upside rather than experience. Mannion, 33, only began his coaching career in 2024.
He spent that season as an offensive assistant in Green Bay before being elevated to quarterbacks coach in 2025. Now, he’ll be tasked with designing and calling plays for one of the NFL’s most scrutinized offenses.
Let’s be clear: Mannion has never called plays in the NFL before. That doesn’t automatically mean he won’t succeed, but it does make this hire a leap of faith.
It also continues a trend-last season, the Eagles handed play-calling duties to Kevin Patullo, another first-timer in that role. The results were mixed, and with Patullo still on staff (for now), there’s an interesting dynamic to watch unfold.
What makes this hire intriguing is that Mannion comes in without prior ties to head coach Nick Sirianni or quarterback Jalen Hurts. That could be a good thing.
After a 2025 season where the offense often looked stale and predictable, fresh ideas and a new voice might be exactly what this team needs. The Eagles aren’t looking for more of the same-they're looking for a spark.
So, what does Mannion bring to the table?
While his coaching résumé is short, his exposure to high-level offensive minds during his playing days is extensive. Mannion spent time with head coaches like Sean McVay, Pete Carroll, Mike Zimmer, Jeff Fisher, and Kevin O’Connell.
He played in systems run by offensive coordinators such as Matt LaFleur, Gary Kubiak, Kevin Stefanski, Shane Waldron, and Wes Phillips. That’s a who’s who of modern NFL offense.
At the quarterback coach level, Mannion learned under names like Zac Taylor, Greg Olson, and Dave Canales-coaches who’ve gone on to lead offenses or entire teams. He was also around assistants like Mike Groh, Liam Coen, and Drew Petzing, each of whom has carved out a significant role in the league.
That kind of exposure matters. It doesn't guarantee success, but it gives Mannion a deep well of concepts, philosophies, and approaches to draw from as he builds his own offense in Philadelphia.
The Eagles’ decision to go with a high-upside, low-experience hire suggests they’re swinging big. Early in the search, more proven names like Todd Monken and Mike McDaniel were on the radar.
But once those options faded, the Eagles pivoted-away from safe and toward potential. There’s logic in that.
The 2025 offense needed stability. The 2026 version might need creativity and adaptability, especially if the roster takes a step back in terms of raw talent.
And that brings us to the bigger picture: Howie Roseman has a lot of work to do this offseason. A.J.
Brown’s future is uncertain. Lane Johnson could retire.
Dallas Goedert may walk in free agency. There are questions about the health and performance of Landon Dickerson and Cam Jurgens.
The offensive line could look very different. The receiving corps might need a facelift.
All of that will impact how Mannion’s offense takes shape-and how successful it can be.
There’s also the matter of staff structure. The Eagles have already brought in Josh Grizzard as pass game coordinator, a coach with one year of play-calling experience.
That’s a helpful addition, but it raises a question: Will the Eagles look to bring in more veteran voices to support Mannion? They reportedly showed interest in Matt Nagy during the coordinator search, and he remains available.
Adding a seasoned assistant or two could help balance out the inexperience at the top of the offensive staff.
Of course, there’s a fine line between collaboration and confusion. Eagles fans remember the 2020 season, when too many voices-Doug Pederson, Press Taylor, Rich Scangarello, Marty Mornhinweg-led to a muddled offensive identity.
This setup isn’t necessarily the same, but it’s something to keep an eye on. Too many cooks can spoil the broth, especially when roles and responsibilities aren’t clearly defined.
And then there’s Kevin Patullo. He’s still with the team, though his future feels uncertain.
With Mannion now calling the shots, it’s hard to imagine a clean working relationship unless roles are clearly delineated. A fresh start for both sides might be in everyone’s best interest.
As for the rest of the staff, it’ll be interesting to see who stays and who goes. Jeff Stoutland, the longtime offensive line coach, is expected to remain, though reports suggest he’s lost his run game coordinator title. That could open the door for Mannion to bring in more of “his guys,” the way Kellen Moore did when he took over the Chargers’ offense in 2024.
In the end, the Eagles are betting that Sean Mannion’s unique blend of playing experience, exposure to elite coaching minds, and fresh perspective can reinvigorate an offense that lost its edge last year. There’s risk here-no doubt about it. But there’s also the potential for something new, something better.
Now it’s on Mannion, Sirianni, and the rest of the offensive staff to make it work.