Those are two reasons that several free agents signed with the Flyers this season, as Christian Dvorak, Noah Juulsen, and Dan Vladař did. It’s why Lane Pederson did, too.
After spending the last two seasons with the Edmonton Oilers organization, the centerman saw Philly as a place where he would have an opportunity to return to the NHL. And he had familiarity with Rick Tocchet and assistant coach Jay Varady. On July 1, he signed a one-year, two-way deal worth $775,000 in the NHL.
On Wednesday, Pederson will skate in his second game for the Flyers against the Utah Mammoth (9 p.m., NBCSP). The 28-year-old will be the pivot on the fourth line, replacing Rodrigo Ābols, who went down with a long-term injury on Saturday.
In the Flyers’ win against the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday, he played his first NHL game since March 30, 2023, with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Pederson skated a little under nine minutes in a game filled with special teams. It’s a departure from his deployment by John Snowden, the coach for Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League, where Pederson had 13 goals and 28 points in 37 games. With the Phantoms, he was centering the team’s top line — between Denver Barkey and Alex Bump.
“Just a really great human being, down-to-earth, and made me feel welcome in Lehigh right away. So really appreciative of him, obviously,” Barkey said. “A special player, really reliable, 200-foot, but also really smart. He skates well, holds on to pucks, and kind of does it all. So it’s exciting to have him here.”
Largely a career minor leaguer, Pederson entered the season with 71 NHL games across four teams: the Arizona Coyotes, San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks, and Blue Jackets.
His tenure in Arizona overlapped with those of Tocchet and Varady, with the former at the NHL level and training camps, and the latter in the AHL. He was also with Tocchet for a few days after the bench boss was hired by Vancouver before being claimed off waivers by Columbus.
Lane Pederson spent time in the Arizona Coyotes organization where he worked with Flyers coach Rick Tocchet and assistant Jay Varady.
“Jay was awesome for my development [during] my time in Tucson,” Pederson said. “It’s a familiar face and someone I can kind of lean on and go ask questions, and he’s helped me along the way. He’s open door and open book, so he’s been great.
“We’ve kind of kept in touch throughout the years, text here and there, congratulate one another on milestones and stuff like that. So it’s awesome to be able to work with him and Tocc again.”
According to Tocchet, Varady and Pederson spent time together going over video and on-ice reads since he joined the Flyers for the three-game road trip that ends Friday in Denver against the Colorado Avalanche. Consistency is something that Pederson has been chasing, but the bench boss likes what the Saskatchewan native can bring to the bottom of the lineup.
“He’s got some speed up the middle, something that we want, we need, and I think that can help his wingers,” Tocchet said. “So if he can play [with] speed up [but] now the reads and sometimes he’s got to know puck decision stuff, that’s stuff he’s going to have to learn at this level to be consistent. But it’s tough to find those speed up the middle guys.”
Breakaways
Sam Ersson (7-8-4, .860 save percentage) will get the start for the Flyers. It will be the first time he starts back-to-back games since Dec. 18-20. Last season in Utah, the Swede had a masterful performance, with the Flyers ultimately losing in overtime despite Ersson stopping 39 of 42 shots. … It looks like Nikita Grebenkin will slot back in on the fourth line. Carl Grundström stayed out on the ice during the optional morning skate. …. Goalie Dan Vladař continues to work his way back and was on the ice for the optional skate at the Delta Center after not participating in the team’s practice on Tuesday. He did skate on his own on a different rink.
Jackie Endsley has been named director of the PGA Championship ahead of the tournament in May at Aronimink Golf Club, the PGA of America announced Wednesday.
Endsley has worked for the PGA for nine years and served as the championship director for six major PGA championships, including the 2020 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, which also was at Aronimink.
On Friday, Ryan Ogle announced on social media that he would step down as tournament director, a role he held for a year and a half.
“We are especially excited for Jackie to lead our talented on-site team and continue the fantastic momentum surrounding the 2026 PGA Championship,” said David Charles, senior director of championships for the PGA of America.
“This championship has received exceptional support from the club, as well as from local business and community leaders, putting our planning efforts in a great place for a successful week in May. Jackie’s extensive experience in leading major championships, along with her familiarity with Aronimink, strong organizational skills, and commitment to excellence, will be instrumental as we prepare to stage the 108th PGA Championship.”
The PGA Championship will be held from May 14-17 at Aronimink in Newtown Square, and is the first major men’s PGA Championship in the area since the U.S. Open was at Merion Golf Club in 2013. The Philadelphia Cricket Club hosted the Truist Championship, a sold-out signature event, in May.
“Returning to Aronimink and joining this outstanding team at such a pivotal moment is an incredible opportunity,” Endsley said. “The 2026 PGA Championship is poised to be truly special thanks to the dedication of our staff, the support of our partners, and the rich tradition of championship golf at this venue. As we ramp up preparations for championship week, our focus remains unchanged: delivering an unforgettable experience for players, spectators, and the entire community.”
While newly hired Atlanta Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski may have enjoyed portions of his tenure in Cleveland, especially when he was twice named the NFL’s coach of the year, that doesn’t mean everyone remembers his time so fondly.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield fired shots at Stefanski on social media on Tuesday in response to a post that blamed the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NFL draft for being part of a “dumpster fire” — especially at quarterback — under Stefanski.
“Failed is quite the reach, pal,” Mayfield wrote in response to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter’s post that said Mayfield and quarterback Deshaun Watson had “failed” in Cleveland. A community note was added to the post highlighting how Mayfield was one of the few successful Browns quarterbacks recently.
“Still waiting on a text/call from him after I got shipped off like a piece of garbage. Can’t wait to see you twice a year, Coach,” the rest of Mayfield’s post read.
Failed is quite the reach pal. Still waiting on a text/call from him after I got shipped off like a piece of garbage. Can’t wait to see you twice a year, Coach. https://t.co/jUUsYkvlOC
Mayfield played under Stefanski during the 2020 and 2021 seasons, including a Browns playoff run in 2020, winning their wild-card game against Pittsburgh, 48-37, but falling to the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, 22-17.
However, the next season, Mayfield struggled with a shoulder injury and went 6-8 in The Games he started. In March 2022, Mayfield publicly requested a trade, saying that the relationship with the Browns was “too far gone to mend.”
Mayfield was dealt to the Carolina Panthers for a fifth-round pick, before he requested his release and ended up with the Los Angeles Rams for a five-game stint in late 2022. Mayfield then was signed by the Buccaneers in 2023, where he has had newfound success, leading Tampa Bay to two NFC South titles. This year, the Buccaneers narrowly missed the playoffs on the final day of the regular season, finishing with an 8-9 record.
But now, five seasons later, Stefanski and Mayfield will again find themselves on the same field, just different sidelines. Stefanski’s move to Atlanta also means a move to the NFC South, setting up the two to face off twice a year.
As for Stefanski’s time with the Browns, the St. Joseph’s Prep graduate won NFL coach of the year honors in 2020 and 2023 after leading Cleveland to two playoff appearances, including its first playoff win in decades. However, his most recent two seasons brought disappointing results with an 8-26 overall record. The Falcons fired coach Raheem Morris after this season, opening a vacancy filled by Stefanski.
Jake Rosenberg is Howie Roseman‘s former salary cap wizard who left the Eagles two years ago for greener pastures. Rosenberg now is a consultant for college athletes and administrators, as well as a headhunter for doctors. Quite the CV.
He’s also a hardy tweeter.
On Tuesday night, after Brian Daboll interviewed with the Eagles for the vacant offensive coordinator position, Rosenberg quote-tweeted a report from The Athletic’s NFL reporter, Diana Russini, refuting her answer to a question posed during her appearance on 94-WIP’s afternoon show that painted the Eagles’ job as unattractive: “I think coordinators on this list are aware that navigating Philly is difficult.”
Rosenberg, a fiery sort, called both the question and the answer “dumb,” as he issued what you would have to assume was a state-sanctioned response, with a list of nine reasons.
Ask dumb questions get dumb answers.
1. Talent at skills and QB 2. Market 3. HC with 5 straight playoff and 2 SB 4. 2 OC who got HC jobs 5. Best GM in league 6. Max prime time games 7. OL 8. Draft resources 9. Ownership
Cleaned up from its Twitter-speak abbreviations, the post read thus:
“Ask dumb questions get dumb answers. …
“1. Talent at skills positions and quarterback. 2. Market. 3. Head coach with five straight playoff appearances and two Super Bowl appearances. 4. Two offensive coordinators who got head coaching jobs. 5. Best GM in league. 6. Max prime-time games. 7. Offensive line. 8. Draft resources. 9. (Generous) Ownership.
“I’m sure an OC wouldn’t want this job. So stupid.”
Minutes before Rosenberg’s post, Russini, among others, reported that Mike McDaniel would take the Chargers’ OC job if he didn’t get one of the head-coaching jobs still in play.
A league source said Wednesday that McDaniel made his decision after a lengthy virtual interview with the Eagles early this week.
The #Chargers are expected to hire Mike McDaniel as their next OC, per me and @DMRussini.
McDaniel + #Chargers officials have been meeting throughout the day and are having dinner tonight, per sources. Nothing official yet, but all positive signs.
On Wednesday morning, Russini, among others, reported that Daboll would take the OC job in Tennessee if he wasn’t hired as Sean McDermott’s replacement as the Bills’ head coach. Whatever happened in Philly on Tuesday convinced Daboll by Wednesday that Nashville and Buffalo were better places for him.
The Eagles are conducting their offensive coordinator search with the understanding that Brian Daboll wants the Bills’ head coaching job. If he doesn’t land it, Daboll is expected to wind up in Tennessee as the offensive coordinator for Cam Ward and the Titans, per sources.
If the reports are correct, it’s a scathing indictment on what appears to be a prime NFL job. Until you look a little closer.
Then you see the cracks in the Eagles’ foundation, and you realize:
Maybe it’s not so prime.
Counterpoints
The QB
The Eagles aren’t the only team with QB talent. Bills star Josh Allen and Chargers starter Justin Herbert are simply better than Jalen Hurts. Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick by the Titans in 2025, has a much higher ceiling than Hurts has ever displayed.
Yes, Hurts is the reigning Super Bowl MVP, but he has arm strength that is no better than average. After five seasons as a starter he’s shown himself to be slow to process what defenses present him, and often he is blind to open receivers. After several injuries including a late-season concussion in 2024, he is ever more reluctant to run, which, in his first four seasons, was his superpower. Also, in an era of 6-foot-4 passers he’s just 6-foot-1. As we all know, every inch counts.
The Philly experience
Yes, Philadelphia is a big, vibrant market, but lately that passion has boiled over into abuse. The environment for any coordinator or head coach in Philadelphia is especially toxic. It takes a thick skin to survive a fan base that has treated the last two defensive coordinators and two of the last three offensive coordinators horribly. A few days after a Black Friday home loss, Eagles fans egged the house of former offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo.
The toxicity is driven by two sports talk radio shows and endless podcasts and local TV shows, an ecosystem of which I am a part as a host on 94-WIP. It also is driven by a print and online press corps, also of which I am a part. Finally, it is driven by a hot-take national media industry, mainly podcasts and analyst gaggles, populated mostly by retired athletes and coaches who recklessly farm engagement.
The combination creates a stressful situation that would affect any human being, as well as his family. None of that is going to change, but, given a choice, you can understand why some candidates would decline to engage with the unique Philadelphia experience.
The GM
Roseman might be the best GM in the NFL over the last nine years, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to have the best roster in 2026. Any top OC candidate is looking at the Eagles job as a one-year stepping stone to the 2027 cycle of head-coaching vacancies. The 2026 Eagles are richly talented on paper, but they are saddled with far more questions than answers.
Further, the Eagles could not land their top candidates when they hired both Nick Sirianni in 2021 and Doug Pederson in 2016. One big obstacle: Eagles head coaches have little say over roster construction, and Roseman can be difficult to work with.
Why would this matter to an offensive coordinator hire? Because, if the offense shines in 2026 but the team does poorly, Sirianni could be fired. His OC would be considered for the vacancy — a vacancy made less attractive by Roseman’s imposing presence.
Head coach
While Sirianni has made the playoffs in each of his five seasons in Philly, he’s also suffered unceremonious defeats in three of those playoff trips. He also has displayed an inability to control his emotions, which causes distractions, whether it’s with his players, like A.J. Brown or Jalen Carter, or with fans, both home and away.
And, while it might have been entertaining, pairing Sirianni with a combustible coach like Daboll would have been like smoking a cigarette in a gunpowder factory.
Offensive line
When healthy and rested, left tackle Jordan Mailata, left guard Landon Dickerson, center Cam Jurgens, and right tackle Lane Johnson are the best combination in the business. However, Dickerson, Jurgens, and Johnson have lingering, if not chronic, health concerns.
The owner
Jeffrey Lurie is generous and supportive, but he can be … a lot.
Mostly through Roseman, Lurie monitors the day-to-day machinations of the team more closely than most owners, more often than not watching practice at Roseman’s hip. Also, after every game, Lurie talks with Sirianni and sometimes with other coaches, very extensively, usually before Sirianni addresses the press — a delay of an hour or more from the game’s end.
Other owners talk to their coaches, too, but not to this degree.
Again, for better or worse, anyone who succeeds Sirianni as head coach will be subjected to these weekly postgame interrogations.
Other issues
Brown might be the best receiver in Eagles history, but he is, without question, the most distracting. His constant public complaining the past two years, especially on social media, prompted Lurie to publicly reprimand him during a practice in November.
Today at Eagles practice Big Dom got Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie and AJ Brown together and it looked like they had a very good conversation about AJ‘s frustration and they all want the offense to be better pic.twitter.com/NznX9KaznD
Also, Brown often did not complete routes and did not make catches he usually makes, particularly in the wild-card playoff loss to the visiting 49ers.
When asked last week if he planned to trade Brown, Roseman did not say that he would not, despite the crippling salary-cap repercussions that would accompany any trade or cut.
Regardless, the new OC will inherit the fallout of Brown’s seasons of discontent.
Other issues include the drop-off in production from Saquon Barkley and the fact that the Birds have no frontline tight end under contract, but these are issues that will accompany most positions.
On Wednesday’s episode of New Heights, Jason and Travis Kelce offered their takes on the latest NFL news as the conference championships approach this Sunday.
The brothers brought in Greg Olsen, who reflected on Monday’s College Football Playoff championship as a former University of Miami tight end before his NFL and broadcasting careers. Olsen also joined the conversation about open coaching positions.
Olsen praises Sirianni
Although the Eagles season is over, former center Jason Kelce still brought up the Birds in this week’s episode. Olsen had some words of admiration for coach Nick Sirriani.
“I love Sirianni,” the Fox analyst said. “I actually texted him because I ran into his brother at the Miami game. I know he gets a lot of flack, and people want to come after him, but I love him, his energy, his edge, and I love the way he manages the game. I ended up fighting the entire universe on behalf of him a couple weeks ago. But that was a losing proposition.”
Olsen also emphasized the opportunity for the Eagles in hiring a new offensive coordinator.
“If I’m an offensive play-caller, I’m doing everything in my power to get that job,” Olsen said. “I want to call offensive plays in Philadelphia because you can do whatever you want. That’s a great job.”
Could Jarrett Stidham play his way to his own statue in Denver, like Nick Foles did in Philly?
Foles in Twitter controversy
On the topic of the AFC championship game, the brothers discussed the Denver Broncos’ chances against the New England Patriots. With starting quarterback Bo Nix out with an ankle injury, backup Jarrett Stidham is expected to battle against Patriots signal caller Drake Maye. Stidham has not thrown a pass all season.
Travis Kelce joked about a viral tweet on Sunday from former Eagles backup Nick Foles, which received 17.4 million views. Foles referenced the 2018 Super Bowl, in which he led the Eagles to a 41-33 victory over New England as he subbed for injured starter Carson Wentz.
Note for the Broncos and their fans: I know it has been an emotional 24 hours. I feel for Bo and the team, and I'm sending prayers for a strong recovery.
A positive note going into the game versus the Patriots is that they struggle against backup QBs in championship-type games.
However, Jason Kelce wasn’t convinced that the Broncos quarterback predicament is anything similar to what he went through with the Eagles in 2018.
“I still remember when Wentz went down, and you could hear a pin drop in the locker room because we knew that his ACL was torn after the game,” Kelce said. “We were like, ‘We just lost our starting quarterback, how are we going to overcome this?’ It took a couple games. That’s the one thing that Stidham doesn’t have. We got the rest of the season and [Foles] warmed into that role. … It’ll be interesting to see what [Broncos coach] Sean Payton has [cooked up] this coming week against the Patriots.”
Andre Drummond prepares for each 76ers game with an identical routine. A weightlifting and running workout. A trip to the sauna. A meal of chicken and rice.
“The only thing that probably [will] change,” he told The Inquirer at his locker late Tuesday, “is I probably won’t take my warmup pants off some games.”
Such repetition is beneficial in situations like this week, when Drummond faced about as drastic of a role shift as a player can experience from one night to the next. The veteran center did not play in Monday’s 113-104 Sixers victory over the Indiana Pacers, then started Tuesday’s 116-110 loss to the Phoenix Suns in place of the injury-managing Joel Embiid. Teammate Adem Bona, meanwhile, was the backup center in both games but closed Tuesday’s matchup as the Sixers attempted a late rally against Phoenix.
Until that pecking order is more clear-cut, Sixers coach Nick Nurse said, those minutes and responsibilities for Drummond and Bona will continue to fluctuate from game to game, matchup to matchup, and, sometimes, “moment to moment.” Halfway through the regular season, both big men are used to the shifts.
“We’re both professionals at the end of the day,” Drummond said. “Whenever our number is called and whatever we’re needed for, I think we’ve both done a good job of being prepared and being ready for what’s to come.”
This back-to-back did come with some clarity in advance. Though Embiid has significantly progressed in his availability following multiple knee surgeries, he still will not play two consecutive nights. Nurse said last week that, in most cases, he prefers to start the 6-foot-11, 289-pound Drummond in the games Embiid misses. Opponents tend to go small with their backup big man, the coach concluded, which lends itself to a matchup with the athletic, 6-10 Bona.
That was how Tuesday unfolded. With a fresher body than teammates who played Monday, Drummond (eight points) said he attempted to set the tone with 15 rebounds — including six in the first quarter — that sometimes led to putbacks and kick-outs for three-pointers.
Bona, meanwhile, recorded his first double-double of the season, with 11 points and 10 rebounds. And after the Sixers fell behind by 17 points during a disastrous second-half stretch that was stamped with defensive and rebounding woes, Bona reentered. His block led to a Tyrese Maxey three-pointer to cut into Phoenix’s lead. He also recorded four rebounds during that stretch, including a putback off a VJ Edgecombe miss that got the Sixers within 112-105 with 3 minutes, 23 seconds remaining.
“We needed a little spark of energy,” Bona said, “so that was why Coach put me back in there.”
Added Nurse: “I probably wouldn’t do anything different there.”
Such pivots are helped by the fact that Drummond and Bona have been tight since they became teammates during the 2024 offseason.
They will double high-five like soccer players when they replace each other in the lineup. They can hear each other’s vocal support from the bench. Bona, who regularly unleashes a scream or flex after a high-flying dunk or block, said Drummond has helped him not get overly emotional about mistakes.
“Just having someone like that, making it easier for you to just step into the role,” said Bona, who is averaging 4.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 17.1 minutes across 33 games this season, “you’re never worried about if the other person is [ticked] or anything.”
Added Drummond: “He’s been seizing the opportunity, and I’m really happy for him.”
Those players have taken vastly different paths to this platoon in their second season together.
The 32-year-old Drummond, a two-time All-Star and one of the best rebounders of all time, was plagued last season by turf toe that he still manages by stepping onto an acupressure mat with replica pebble stones that press into the bottoms of his feet. Bona began his rookie season as a deep reserve who spent time in the G League before impressing as a rim protector and lob threat while sliding into the starting job when the Sixers transitioned into tank mode.
Though Bona won the backup job out of this fall’s training camp, both players had appeared to take control of that spot at various points this season. Yet even when Nurse makes a switch in the middle of the game, Bona said he “never” worries about being replaced if he stumbles during one of his stints.
“I know Coach is going to do what’s best for the team,” he said. “I don’t think I’m going to play a certain type of way to please Coach so I stay on the floor. I just go out there and give my all-out effort all the time, and whatever fits the matchup or the game at the moment, I trust Coach is going to do that.”
Those players’ differing styles and strengths, though, change how teammates such as forward Jabari Walker play alongside them.
Walker drifts out to the perimeter more frequently when Drummond is on the floor, he said, because Drummond takes up more space underneath the basket and will never pop out of a pick-and-roll. Bona’s presence allows Walker to be more aggressive defensively because they can both switch on screens and Bona is a reliable rim protector.
“It’s never a bad thing,” Walker said last week. “… They’ve done such a great job of just staying engaged and knowing that they’re both important to what our team needs. That’s all we can ask from them.”
Another frontcourt personnel wrinkle? Nurse has experimented with sliding Bona into that power forward spot next to Embiid. That duo had a plus-17.5 net rating in 40 minutes across six games entering Wednesday. Bona said learning how to play consistently in that look, where offensive spacing is crucial and going for every blocked shot is not necessary with Embiid as a defensive anchor, is a personal goal.
“[A player] should just be trying to figure out any way possible to get on the floor,” Nurse said. “And I think that’s more [Bona’s] mindset of, ‘Listen, if Joel’s healthy, he’s probably going to play a lot at the 5 [center]. So what else can I do to get some more minutes?’ And playing alongside him is obviously the answer to that.”
Bona and Drummond, whose $5 million expiring contract also makes him a player to watch entering the Feb. 5 trade deadline, are not the only Sixers navigating uncertain playing time.
Justin Edwards on Tuesday returned to the first-half rotation before Trendon Watford received second-half minutes. Nurse said pregame that the coaching staff is considering inserting guard Quentin Grimes into the starting lineup to try to jump-start the guard. With Kelly Oubre Jr. rounding back into form following a knee injury, a decision could loom about starting him or Dominick Barlow. Jared McCain has completely slipped out of the rotation and was sent on a G League assignment over the weekend.
Sixers center Adem Bona has provided valuable minutes when Joel Embiid sits, including 11 points and 10 rebounds against the Suns.
And any time Drummond needs a mental boost throughout the uncertainty, he can glance at his right hand.
There, “DON’T QUIT” is tattooed in block letters. The placement is intentional, because “any time I put my head down, I normally see that first.” So is the message. After “doubting myself a little bit” during last season’s struggles to stay healthy and produce, Drummond decided to get the ink when he returned to Philly for the start of training camp.
“I needed to find a new way to get motivated again,” he said. “… That was my dedication to myself to not give up.”
No matter the role, which right now can shift drastically from one night to the next.
“I never take it personal,” Drummond said. “At the end of the day, I want to see everybody succeed …
“[I need to] continue to be the player that I am. Being a good locker room guy. Being ready when my number’s called. And being a great teammate.”
In October, in his season-ending news conference following a third consecutive playoff collapse, Phillies president Dave Dombrowski observed, correctly if not wisely, that Bryce Harper did not “have an elite season like he did in the past.”
Harper took offense. Phillies fans generally sided with Harper, who, on the day after Christmas, posted a video of himself on TikTok taking swings in a batting cage wearing a sweatshirt that said, “NOT ELITE.”
On Tuesday, in a hot-stove news conference after whiffing on top-level free agent Bo Bichette and instead re-signing J.T. Realmuto, Dombrowski observed, correctly if not wisely, “I think we’re content where we are at this point.”
This time, every Phillies fan took offense.
Dave Dombrowski on the potential of signing another marquee free agent: "We're content where we are.''
For days, the Phillies had the baseball world on their side. From Thursday at about 4 p.m. until midday Friday, they believed they’d come to a verbal agreement to land Bichette for seven years and $200 million. After Bichette backed out and signed with the New York Mets, the sports world sympathized with Dombrowski, who, in the middle of that same Zoom news conference Tuesday, said:
“It’s a gut punch. You feel it. You are very upset.” Another top Phillies official said he was “furious.” They were justified, and baseball commiserated.
But then, with free agents like Cody Bellinger and Framber Valdez still available, Dombrowski dropped “content” … and, well, Phillies nation, still stinging from playoff disasters, was not pleased.
With one simple sentence, Dombrowski and the Phillies went from being the victims of Bichette’s treachery to being the club that sat on its hands while its chief rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Mets, spent ever more lavishly to pursue winning.
That’s mostly true. Still, context is important.
First, as it regards trade targets, Dombrowski can’t say he’s pursuing another team’s player. That’s tampering. Second, tipping his hand regarding any remaining free agents would be poor strategy. Third, he said, “I think.” The phone could ring at any time, be it a general manager proposing a trade or an agent proposing a deal.
Still, what Dombrowski said imparts a certain finality.
Or, if you’re a hopeful fan, a certain fatalism.
Which is fair.
The Phillies brought back Kyle Schwarber with a five-year, $150 million contract, their biggest move of the offseason to date.
By no stretch of the imagination are they better than they were this time last year, when Zack Wheeler was healthy and Ranger Suárez was on the team.
And no, they’re not better than they were after they lost Game 4 of the NLDS, when they had Suárez and center fielder Harrison Bader.
They’re not better. They’re different, but not better.
They will gamble on outfielder Adolis García, whom they gave a one-year, $10 million deal in the hopes that, at 33, he will improve his .675 OPS and 44 home runs over the last two seasons. Those numbers are chillingly similar to those of the player he will replace, Nick Castellanos, who is one year older (he will be 34 in March), and managed an OPS of .719 and 40 homers in the same time span.
They will gamble that speedy rookie Justin Crawford can handle center field after acknowledging last year that Crawford might be better served playing in left. They will gamble that hard-throwing rookie Andrew Painter will relocate the command he lost in the minors in 2025 after elbow surgery in 2023 cost him two full seasons.
Prospects don’t necessarily make teams better; several studies reveal that more than half of the top 100 bust, and of the other half, only a handful make a significant impact. That’s fine. Unless you’re the Dodgers, with their unlimited budget, homegrown talent is the most efficient method to fill the roster.
The Phillies’ bullpen might be the one unit that is better than it was at the beginning and end of 2025. José Alvarado, who lost time to a PED suspension and an injury, will be back, paired with 100-mph closer Jhoan Duran, Dombrowski’s best deadline addition in years.
But the Phillies’ starters? Hardly.
Wheeler is the best Phillies pitcher since Steve Carlton. Since 2021, Suárez ranks seventh in Wins Above Replacement, at 17.7, ahead of Gerrit Cole and Valdez, but still almost 10 behind Wheeler, the leader. Wheeler and Suárez will be replaced by Painter and Taijuan Walker.
The lineup won’t be better, just older. The principals — Realmuto, Trea Turner, Schwarber, and Harper — will all be at least 33 by the end of the season. Thirtysomethings seldom improve with age. They just age.
Would Bichette have made the Phillies elite? No. Not elite like the Dodgers, who signed Kyle Tucker to a four-year, $240 million deal. That deal is what spurred Bichette to back out of his agreement with the Phillies, who, in turn, refused to even consider the opt-out years the Mets gave Bichette — a structure that puts all the risk on the team and none on the player. Dombrowski did the right thing, even if he said the wrong thing.
Bichette wouldn’t have made the Phillies elite. But he would have made the Phillies better, and he’d have made Dombrowski’s offseason “elite.”
There are times when it seems, even as young as he is, that Cavan Sullivan has been prepared for the spotlight all his life.
But there still are times, even if they’re fleeting, when he’s clearly a 16-year-old trying to make his way in the world as a professional athlete.
One came last week, a few days before the Union left for their preseason training stint in Spain. Sullivan was asked what it’s been like growing into that spotlight, and he had a lot to say.
“The spotlight can be great, but at the same time, especially now, it’s really not something I’m caring about,” he said. “Like, literally all I want to do is play games and play the sport I love. Media is great, but I just want to show what I can do and be the player I know I can be, and [I’m] not really focused on the media or spotlight right now.”
Cavan Sullivan posing for a photo with a fan at a Union game in September.
But with his next breath, he acknowledged how much he gains from it. Sullivan’s fame has earned him endorsement deals with fashion brand Aéropostale and sportswear giant Adidas, the latter linking him to a collection of stars, including Lionel Messi and Trinity Rodman.
As he continues to grow on the field toward a preset move at the end of 2027 to English Premier League power Manchester City, his stature off the field likely will keep growing, too.
“You also have to acknowledge that I’ve prayed for moments like these, and I’ve been dreaming about the spotlight,” he said. “It’s weird how it contradicts at certain moments in your life. But as a kid, I’ve dreamed of having jerseys on kids’ backs and being [in] cool interviews and meeting my heroes, and it’s awesome.”
Sullivan should be ready for regular first-team playing time this year. Though his listed height and weight are 5-foot-7 and 150 pounds, both unofficial counts are higher now. He continues to grow in size and physique and looks ready to play against grown men.
Cavan Sullivan (right) with Lionel Messi in 2024.
That last clause bears emphasizing. As much hype as Sullivan has gotten already, there’s a big difference in any human body from age 14, as he was when he turned pro, to 16.
The Union’s roster overhaul this winter also remains on everyone’s mind. As a new team starts to come together, one thing that quickly has become clear is its youth. New striker Ezekiel Alladoh is 20, centerback Finn Sundstrom is 19, and rumored centerback target Geiner Martínez is 23.
New Union striker Ezekiel Alladoh is 20 and is the club’s latest record signing.
Japhet Sery Larsen, the top new centerback signing, is a relative veteran at 25. He’ll likely start next to Olwethu Makhanya, who was excellent last season at 21. (He turns 22 in April.) And as usual, the preseason squad includes some academy products.
“It’s awesome to see the youth come in and try and earn their stripes and do their thing and showcase what they have,” Sullivan said. “But, obviously, you’re going to miss the older guys that were here when I originally started out with the team. … It’s definitely sad to see, but that’s part of the game. You’ve got to learn new teammates, learn their ins and outs, and how they play.”
If there was another hint of lament, it came when he added: “People move, and people come in.” It also was a statement of fact.
“Obviously, we’re affected by them, and we miss them, but we’re going to try our best to keep the same locker room experience as it was last year,” Sullivan said. “Because that was the best locker room I’ve been a part of. It obviously helps when you’re a winning team, no doubt about it, but I think Philly as a club and as a city will keep that same passion and energy throughout the whole year.”
Cavan Sullivan (left) on the ball during the Union’s U.S. Open Cup game against Indy Eleven in May. It was his first start for the Union’s first team.
With just under a month until the season begins, the Union need a new starting-caliber left back and are shopping for one. Beyond that, what’s the right number of signings before the team’s young prospects lose their shots at playing time?
This always is a major question for the club, and it feels especially important now.
Another attacking midfielder could help until Quinn Sullivan returns from his torn ACL but could take minutes from Cavan afterward — and before, too. Another starting-caliber striker certainly would be useful, but Sal Olivas showed in his limited first-team run last year that he deserves another shot.
Eddy Davis and Malik Jakupovic also are moving up the pipeline, and Jakupovic is getting a lot of buzz. The 16-year-old from suburban Detroit currently is with the first team and could earn a first-team contract, even if he spends most of this year with the reserves.
“He’s athletic, a goal scorer, can use his feet well,” Sullivan said. “I’m excited to see what this year has in store for him. He’s obviously a friend of mine, and someone I worked with a lot with the second team when I was playing games. He’s come into a lot of second-team games and made instant impacts.”
Indeed he did, scoring eight goals in 19 games. Though many of them were at the tail end of blowouts, that didn’t stop fans and scouts from paying attention. Jakupovic stood 6-3 and 168 pounds when he turned pro on a reserve team deal last May, and, as with Sullivan, the numbers have risen healthily since then.
“Hopefully he can start some games with the second team this year,” Sullivan said. “You never know what could happen in this game — first-team minutes could be available for him as well. I’m excited to work with him even more.”
‘Stuff to prove’
There’s no question that Sullivan exudes confidence. He’s fearless taking on defenders and knows he’ll get kicked, even though he doesn’t always take it well.
Cavan Sullivan (right) takes a challenge from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds’ Daniel Griffin in May.
In the Union’s preseason opener on Tuesday against Czech club SK Sigma Olomouc, Sullivan played the second half of a 1-1 draw. At one point, he was pushed over as he charged down the right flank. The defender had a word in Sullivan’s face, and Sullivan jawed right back at him before the referee reminded them that it was a scrimmage.
That moment also illustrated why it’s so important that Sullivan turned pro with the Union instead of getting thrown into the deep end in Europe. Along with having coaches here who care about his development, he gets to live at home with a family that keeps him grounded.
You feel that when he says things like, “At the end of the day, it’s about what I can do on the field and not the behind-the-camera side of things.”
And again when he talks about the upcoming season.
Cavan Sullivan (second from right) with family including father Brendan (right), brother Quinn (next to Cavan), and mother Heike (next to Quinn) after the Union clinched the Supporters’ Shield in October.
“It’s a big year for me,” Sullivan said. “It’s exciting, but I’m not going to get ahead of myself. I know there’s still work to do and stuff to prove. So I’m not going to get too excited — just stay grounded, just be humble, and continue to work really hard.”
Union manager Bradley Carnell sees that. Not for nothing did he call Sullivan’s mindset “one of his biggest strengths.” But Carnell also knows the influence he has over Sullivan’s playing time.
“That Cavan has the outlook on doing all these great things, that’s a target,” he said. “And in his mind, that’s now a cycle of work, a body of work that has to go into each and every single training session, scrimmage, recovery session, and on forth. So, yeah, we hope that will be great. What a story that would be.”
Carnell continued: “It’s our job now to push Cavan in the best way possible, to make sure that we hold each other accountable to the development of Cavan and every other player in the roster.”
Bradley Carnell (right) embracing Cavan Sullivan (left) and Jesús Bueno after the Union won the Supporters’ Shield.
Sullivan said the team’s goal for this year “remains the same: We’re going for the MLS Cup no matter what.”
His personal goals, he said, also are “similar” to the last two years.
But then he stepped right back into that spotlight and knew it.
“I’m going to work my [butt] off,” he said, “trying to earn my spot, [and] be a consistent player on a team basis.”
There will be times when teams get physical with Tyrese Maxey and he isn’t efficient, but his overall play often makes up for it. The 76ers needed more than that on Tuesday night.
They also must do a better job of guarding the three-point line and converting their own wide-open looks.
Those things stood out in the Sixers’ 116-110 loss to the Phoenix Suns at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Oubre is back
Tuesday marked Oubre’s eighth game back with the Sixers (23-19) since he sprained a left knee ligament against the Detroit Pistons in November. He made his second straight start and third overall in that span because Paul George was sidelined for left knee injury management.
And if we learned anything in the last two games, it’s that Oubre is back to being a solid contributor.
The 6-foot-8 small forward finished with 21 points while making 5 of 10 three-pointers against the Suns (27-17). Oubre was a game-best plus-13 in 34 minutes and added four rebounds and two steals. This comes after he had 18 points on 8-for-14 shooting along with five assists, two steals, and one block in Monday’s 113-104 victory over the Indiana Pacers. George missed both games.
Oubre has played with his trademark energy upon his return. It was just a matter of making shots. He’s now done that in each of the last three games.
“I’m not getting tired as easily as I was when I first started coming back,” Oubre said. “Obviously, I had to weather that storm and getting in game shape. But now my legs are under me. I’m able to pick up full [court], allow my defense to pick up my offense, and just lock in on my fundamentals. Everything is working out.”
Oubre’s performance didn’t prevent the Sixers from losing four of their last six games. Against the Suns, they were without Joel Embiid (right ankle injury management). So that put a heavy onus on Maxey and VJ Edgecombe (25 points, seven rebounds, two steals, and one block).
Maxey’s lack of efficiency
Maxey had his second-worst shooting performance of the season (28.0%) while shooting 7 of 25, including missing six of eight three-pointers, and finishing with 20 points. However, he had game highs of seven assists and three steals to go along with one block.
The 6-2 point guard’s all-around play usually enables him to overcome rough shooting nights. His ability to get to the rim, drain three-pointers, rack up assists, and compile steals earned him a spot as an Eastern Conference All-Star starter on Monday.
Tyrese Maxey gets to a loose ball before the Suns’ Grayson Allen in the second half of Tuesday’s game against the Suns.
But while his versatility is great, the Sixers need him to make shots. And for the third time in his last four games, he hasn’t been efficient.
“I don’t think it’s physicality,” Maxey said. “I think it’s just more me, just a little tired. I don’t know. But it will be all right. I’ll be fine.”
The sixth-year veteran, who is third in the NBA in scoring at 30.0 points per game, believes he’ll bounce back.
“That’s what I do,” he said. “That’s why I’m here. I’ll be just fine. Take a day off tomorrow, and get some treatment. I’ll be back at it, whatever day it is. I don’t even know what day.”
The Sixers’ next game is Thursday against the Houston Rockets at home.
For a while, Maxey’s all-around contributions kept the Sixers competitive.
Tyrese Maxey lands in the crowd after diving for a loose ball during Tuesday’s game against the Suns.
There was a stretch in the third when Maxey took over the game without making a basket. He stole Mark Williams’ bad pass 28 seconds into the half, raced downcourt, and assisted on Edgecombe’s three-pointer to knot the score at 57.
Maxey later assisted on three consecutive baskets — one by Oubre, followed by two straight by Dominick Barlow — to help the Sixers take a 68-61 lead with 8:44 left in the quarter.
But as the game progressed, his team needed him to make shots rather than set up teammates.
“It’s a fine line,” Maxey said. “ … I was getting in the paint, creating shots for us. But in games like this, I know we need that scoring punch, you know what I’m saying? It can come late sometimes. It can come early. But I know it’s going to be a time in the game where we need it.
“I just couldn’t make certain shots. Like, I got easy, easy, easy, easy looks tonight, like floaters, wide-open threes, layups. Just tough. Ball didn’t bounce my way tonight. So it’s all right.”
Better job of defending the three
One can argue that one of the biggest differences between the Sixers and the squad they aspire to be is consistent three-point shooting. The season will remain rocky until they correct that.
Against the Suns, they made just 11 of 34 threes (32.4%). Even that’s misleading, considering Oubre made 5 of 10. So his teammates shot 6-for-24 from deep.
It’s hard to win shooting that poorly.
Meanwhile, the Suns shot 16-for-39 from deep. A lot of their three-point attempts came on wide-open looks. The Sixers basically left Grayson Allen (16 points on 4-for-9 three-point shooting) and Royce O’Neale (nine points on 3-for-7 three-point shooting) all alone.
The Sixers also struggled with pick-and-roll defense. But the disparity at the three-point line really doomed them.
Former Giants head coach Brian Daboll interviewed with the Birds Tuesday, but appears to be headed to either the Bills or Titans. Former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel is taking the vacant offensive coordinator job with the Chargers.
Which Eagles players should stay or go next season? Swipe and decide.
// Timestamp 01/21/26 3:28pm
Eagles interview Matt Nagy: reports
Former Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy.
After failing to land two of their top candidates, the Eagles interviewed former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy Wednesday, according to multiplereports.
A one-time Eagles quarterback (he spent one morning as a third-stringer) who grew up in the Lancaster area, Nagy spent the past four seasons in Kansas City, three as the Chiefs offensive coordinator. It was his second stint in Kansas City, which sandwiched his four-year tenure as head coach of the Chicago Bears.
Nagy got his coaching start with the Eagles in 2008 under Andy Reid as an intern, moving up to offensive quality control coach before following him to Kansas City.
Considered a front-runner for the Tennessee Titans head coaching job that ultimately went to Robert Saleh, Nagy has also reportedly interviewed with the Las Vegas Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, and Baltimore Ravens.
Nagy’s contract with the Chiefs expired at the end of the season, and Kansas City plans to bring back former offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy to replace him, according to multiple reports.
Are McDaniel and Daboll ‘dumb,’ ‘stupid,’ or justified to avoid Philly?
Yes, Philadelphia is a big, vibrant market, but lately that passion has boiled over into abuse.
Jake Rosenberg is Howie Roseman‘s former salary cap wizard who left the Eagles two years ago for greener pastures. Rosenberg now is a consultant for college athletes and administrators, as well as a headhunter for doctors. Quite the CV.
He’s also a hardy tweeter.
On Tuesday night, after Brian Daboll interviewed with the Eagles for the vacant offensive coordinator position, Rosenberg quote-tweeted a report from The Athletic’s NFL reporter, Diana Russini, refuting her answer to a question posed during her appearance on 94-WIP’s afternoon show that painted the Eagles’ job as unattractive: “I think coordinators on this list are aware that navigating Philly is difficult.”
Rosenberg, a fiery sort, called both the question and the answer “dumb,” as he issued what you would have to assume was a state-sanctioned response, with a list of nine reasons.
Ask dumb questions get dumb answers.
1. Talent at skills and QB 2. Market 3. HC with 5 straight playoff and 2 SB 4. 2 OC who got HC jobs 5. Best GM in league 6. Max prime time games 7. OL 8. Draft resources 9. Ownership
Minutes before Rosenberg’s post, Russini, among others, reported that Mike McDaniel would take the Chargers’ OC job if he didn’t get one of the head-coaching jobs still in play.
He never even granted the Eagles an interview.
On Wednesday morning, Russini, among others, reported that Daboll would take the OC job in Tennessee if he wasn’t hired as Sean McDermott’s replacement as the Bills’ head coach. Whatever happened in Philly on Tuesday convinced Daboll by Wednesday that Nashville and Buffalo were better places for him.
If the reports are correct, it’s a scathing indictment on what appears to be a prime NFL job. Until you look a little closer.
Then you see the cracks in the Eagles’ foundation, and you realize:
Maybe it’s not so prime. Here are some counterpoints:
Fox’s Greg Olsen praises Nick Sirianni, calls Eagles opening ‘a great job’
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, seen before a game in November.
On Wednesday’s episode of New Heights, Jason and Travis Kelce offered their takes on the latest NFL news as the conference championships approach this Sunday.
The brothers brought in Fox analyst Greg Olsen, who among other things had some words of admiration for coach Nick Sirriani.
“I love Sirianni,” Olsen said. “I actually texted him because I ran into his brother at the Miami game. I know he gets a lot of flack, and people want to come after him, but I love him, his energy, his edge, and I love the way he manages the game. I ended up fighting the entire universe on behalf of him a couple weeks ago. But that was a losing proposition.”
Olsen also emphasized the opportunity for the Eagles in hiring a new offensive coordinator.
“If I’m an offensive play-caller, I’m doing everything in my power to get that job,” Olsen said. “I want to call offensive plays in Philadelphia because you can do whatever you want. That’s a great job.”
Eagles appear to have missed out on two top coaching candidates
Former Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel (left) and former Giants coach Brian Daboll.
With Mike McDaniel heading to the Chargers and signs increasingly pointing Brian Daboll toward the Bills’ head coaching job or Titans’ offensive coordinator job, as reported by The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the Eagles would have missed out on two of their top OC candidates and two of the top names around the league.
The Eagles met with McDaniel virtually, as PHLY’s EJ Smith wrote, per league sources. It wasn’t a formal interview, but it was an in-depth conversation.
McDaniel and Daboll would have been given autonomy over the offense, sources said. There are a few remaining candidates that would have leverage to get authority, but that doesn’t mean Nick Sirianni won’t hand over the offense, depending upon the coach.
The Eagles have cast a large net, one seemingly larger with McDaniel and Daboll unlikely, and thus the process will continue.
McDaniel’s decision shows the Eagles are casting a big net for a reason
Mike McDaniel is moving to Los Angeles to become the Chargers’ new offensive coordinator.
We now know why there wasn’t much smoke about Mike McDaniel and the Eagles.
McDaniel to the Los Angeles Chargers was pretty much a fait accompli. And for good reason. The Chargers have pretty much everything a play-caller could hope for:
A franchise quarterback who has yet to reach his ceiling and has as much all-around talent as anybody in the NFL.
Two young All-Pro-caliber offensive tackles.
A head coach with massive credibility.
An offense that hasn’t come close to producing what it is capable of.
An indoor stadium.
A home city that is one of the best places in America for a rich person to live.
The big question now is where the Eagles rank as a landing spot among the remaining teams looking for play-callers.
A recent report from ESPN’s Diana Russini suggested Brian Daboll will head to Tennessee to serve as play-caller under new head coach Robert Saleh, provided he doesn’t land the Bills head coaching job. We’ll see how that plays out. The one advantage the Titans might have over the Eagles is a defensive-minded head coach who is less of a threat to meddle. But that’s really not worth diving into at this point.
The Eagles clearly have a lot of things going in their favor, but it will be interesting to see if their job is as attractive as all of us would have considered it to be at this time last year. Aside from the perception of Nick Sirianni’s potential involvement in game-planning and play-calling, the Eagles have some big question marks in Lane Johnson and A.J. Brown, the two of whom have been as responsible for the Eagles’ success as anybody on the roster outside of Jalen Hurts.
From the outside looking in, you can argue the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a more attractive situation than the Eagles. Todd Bowles is a defensive head coach who had two straight OCs quickly become head coaches in Dave Canales and Liam Cohen. They have a quarterback (Baker Mayfield), a solid offensive line, and tons of skill position talent.
The Eagles’ big advantage is their organizational resources, including a personnel department that has established itself as one of the best in the game over the last half decade or so. But they are casting a wide net for a reason. It’s a candidate’s labor market right now.
Eagles not expected to land Brian Daboll: The Athletic
The Eagles are conducting their offensive coordinator search with the understanding that Brian Daboll wants the Bills’ head coaching job. If he doesn’t land it, Daboll is expected to wind up in Tennessee as the offensive coordinator for Cam Ward and the Titans, per sources.
Baker Mayfield renews rivalry with new Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Philly native Kevin Stefanski picked the Atlanta Falcons head coaching job over the Eagles offensive coordinator decision, and in doing so renewed a rivalry between one of his former quarterbacks.
Current Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield was the starter in Cleveland when Stefanski was first hired as Browns head coach in 2020. But after two seasons and a knee injury, the Browns traded Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers and acquired Deshaun Watson in a since-mocked deal Cleveland is still trying to recover from.
That didn’t sit well with Mayfield, who called Ledbetter’s premise “a reach” and revealed Stefanski never reached out after the trade.
“Can’t wait to see you twice a year, Coach,” Mayfield wrote.
Failed is quite the reach pal. Still waiting on a text/call from him after I got shipped off like a piece of garbage. Can’t wait to see you twice a year, Coach. https://t.co/jUUsYkvlOC
Brian Daboll was interviewed by the Eagles Tuesday.
One day after interviewing for the Eagles offensive coordinator job, Brian Daboll will reportedly meet with the Buffalo Bills for their head coaching vacancy, first reported by The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
Before his four-year stint as the New York Giants head coach, Daboll spent four seasons as the Bills offensive coordinator, where he’s credited with the development of MVP Josh Allen.
The Bills are also reportedly interviewing:
Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady
Washington Commanders run game coordinator Anthony Lynn
Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo
Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski
Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver
Former Bills assistant head coach and current Commanders run game coordinator Anthony Lynn — a finalist for the Buffalo head coaching job in 2017 that went to Sean McDermott — is scheduled to interview for the Bills head coach job Saturday, per a league source.
Mike McDaniel takes Chargers job, crossed off Eagles list
Mike McDaniel is headed to the Los Angeles Chargers.
In the end, the Eagles couldn’t even get him in for an interview.
Former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel is moving to the West Coast to take the open offensive coordinator job with the Los Angeles Chargers, according to multiple reports.
McDaniel was reportedly one of the Eagles top candidates to replace Kevin Patullo and turn around the Birds stagnant offense. But he ultimately chose Justin Herbert and Jim Harbaugh over Jalen Hurts and Nick Sirianni.
Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy.
An observation about the Eagles’ offensive coaching staff: 2025 was the first year Jalen Hurts wasn’t surrounded by former quarterbacks.
Shane Steichen and Kellen Moore were both Division I starters in college. They both had assistants who were NFL backups. Under both, Hurts finished with a passer rating above 100 and went to a Super Bowl.
Correlation doesn’t equal causation. Andy Reid was an offensive lineman. Bright offensive minds come in all shapes and sizes.
But I’m not necessarily talking about scheme here. I’m talking about the other important parts of coaching: teaching, explaining, understanding, conveying. McVay and Shanahan are outliers, given their upbringing, which was so rich it barely needs introduction. (McVay, the grandson of 49ers executive John McVay, was once hired by Mike Shanahan, Kyle’s father.) Otherwise, it’s only natural that former quarterbacks would have an edge in understanding how a current quarterback sees the field. Ben Johnson, Liam Coen, Kevin O’Connell, Sean Payton … all former quarterbacks.
Which makes Matt Nagy a guy the Eagles should talk to.
He certainly wouldn’t win the headline battle. But he’s a former quarterback (Delaware) with plenty of experience who got a bit of a bum rap during his four-year stint as head coach of the Chicago Bears. Nagy went 25-13 in the 38 games that Mitch Trubisky started for him. That looks even more impressive in hindsight than it did at the time.
Latest on Eagles’ search for a new offensive coordinator
Former Giants head coach Brian Daboll, seen here with Jalen Hurts following a playoff game in Jan. 2024.
It’s been about a week since the Eagles moved on from offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, and the Birds have been busy interviewing potential replacements.
That includes former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll, who was interviewed by the Eagles Tuesday, according to Jeff McLane.
“Daboll is clearly a top target for team brass,” McLane wrote. “There is also internal support to bring in someone who would make significant changes to the offense.”
Here are the offensive coordinator candidates the Eagles have already reportedly interviewed or are scheduled to meet with:
Brian Daboll: The former Giants head coach, reportedly at the top of the Eagles’ wish list, interviewed with team Tuesday, according to Jeff McLane
Josh Grizzard: The former Buccaneers offensive coordinator interviewed with the Birds Monday, according to Jordan Schultz.
Mike Kafka: The former interim head coach and offensive coordinator of the Giants interviewed with the Birds Saturday, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Jim Bob Cooter: The Colts offensive coordinator and one-time Birds assistant also interviewed with the Eagles Saturday, according to multiple reports. Colts head coach and former Birds offensive coordinator Shane Steichen is open to letting Cooter pursue an opportunity to call plays, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
Zac Robinson: The former Falcons offensive coordinator was the first candidate interviewed by the Eagles, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
And here are some coaches the Eagles have either reached out to interview or plan to bring in:
