CBS Philadelphia, PA In 2024, the defensive coaching staff of the Philadelphia Eagles will be significantly changed. Senior defensive assistant Matt Patricia will “explore other opportunities” following the Eagles’ firing of defensive coordinator Sean Desai, according to an NFL Network report on Sunday.
Patricia took over as the team’s defensive play-caller in the middle of the season, but Desai was still employed as the “defensive coordinator” by title.
Before Sirianni replaced Desai as play-caller and appointed Patricia as the team’s de facto defensive coordinator, the Eagles were 10-3.
Through 13 games, the Eagles’ defense was not near as good as it was under Desai, but under Patricia in charge of defense, things went worse.
The Eagles went 1-4, including in the playoffs, with defeats to backup quarterbacks Drew Lock and Tyrod Taylor while Patricia was the defensive playcaller.
Following Jonathan Gannon’s departure to take a position as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, Desai, 40, was brought on as the team’s defensive coordinator. He previously worked as the defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears in the 2021 season before joining the Philadelphia Eagles as associate head coach and defensive assistant following a season with the Seattle Seahawks.
After calling the offensive plays for the New England Patriots in 2022, Patricia came to Philadelphia where he worked as an offensive line coach and senior football advisor.
According to NFL Network, Patricia and Desai, a graduate of Temple University, will be considered for other defensive coordinator positions.
According to The Athletic, Sirianni and general manager Howie Roseman have contacted potential defensive coordinators, such as Ryan Nielsen of the Atlanta Falcons and Wink Martindale of the New York Giants, about the position of defensive coordinator.
After the Eagles’ disappointing 2023 season, many questioned Sirianni’s job security, but according to ESPN, all indications are that he will remain for his fourth season as head coach.
