The Philadelphia Eagles have a big decision ahead.
So far there has been radio silence from the Eagles practice facility and worldwide headquarters. Presumably, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie has completed his season-ending meetings with coach Nick Sirianni and general manager Howie Roseman.
Presumably, Sirianni and Roseman have laid out their own paths forward.
Presumably.
Meanwhile, the National Football League’s Divisional Playoff round has proceeded without the Eagles’ participation. Each of the six teams that survived Super Wildcard Weekend and the two No. 1 seeds showed their own versions of playoff success.
From the Eagles — silence.
No post-season news conferences. No votes of confidence. No anything.
The longer the silence continues, the worse things are.
Is it possible that Sirianni could be let go one year after taking the Eagles to a Super Bowl?
Absolutely.
Lurie has fired coaches before. Rich Kotite. Ray Rhodes. Andy Reid. Chip Kelly. Doug Pederson. All saw their tenures end in South Philly.
The real question is, should Sirianni be back?
Really, the answer to that is whether Lurie thinks Sirianni can bring in a new offensive coordinator and a new defensive coordinator for the second year in a row and be successful. Brian Johnson on offense and the Frankenstein’s monster of Sean Desai/Matt Patricia were this team’s downfall.
Add in a nearly brand-new set of position coaches who would come along with new coordinators. Of the existing coaches, only offensive line guru Jeff Stoutland and special teams coordinator Michael Clay did enough to deserve an invitation to stay.
Think about it. Think hard. Which position group got better as the season wore on? The answer is none.
Watching the divisional playoffs, it was so clear that other teams know how to run wide receiver screens. Other teams run the ball. Other teams punish defenses that blitz. Other teams play to their quarterback’s strength.
Other teams tackle. Other teams have linebackers, and safeties, and cornerbacks. Other teams get off the field on third down. Other teams win on first and second down, too.
No matter what the decision ultimately is, the Eagles will have a whole new roster of coaches.
If that’s the case, is it better to find a new coach who can build a staff to his own specifications? To choose coaches who match the Eagles returning roster? To craft a roster of coaches who teach and inspire?
Or is it better to take the carton of Sirianni out of the refrigerator and ask him to rebuild his own staff for the third time?
Playing in a Super Bowl comes at a cost. The Eagles lost both of their coordinators before last year. Whether you thought Jonathan Gannon and Shane Steichen were good coordinators for the Eagles or will be good head coaches elsewhere, the one thing for sure is that the Eagles missed completely on their replacements.
Sirianni has the support of the players. As a rule, the players tend to blame themselves. The players have accountability. They like Sirianni. And why not? He took them to a Super Bowl.
That’s an important factor. Lurie has to take that fact into account.
Lurie also has to decide whether the last two months of the season is the kind of team he hopes to field in Philly.
Eventually, we’ll know what the owner decides.
Until then, silence.
