Duce Staley ready to be the Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator?
Can the former running back replace a Super Bowl winning offensive coordinator?
Philadelphia Eagles fans thought they escaped the annual coaching drain thanks to their Super Bowl run. Fearful of losing offensive coordinator Frank Reich, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, and quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo Philadelphia looked as if they would return their entire coaching staff coming off the franchise’s first Super Bowl victory.
Now less than a week since clinching the Lombardi Trophy in Minnesota the Eagles have lost two of their three top assistant coaches. DeFilippo was hired as the Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator, and Reich was named the Indianapolis Colts head coach after Josh McDaniels backed out of the job.
Both coaches were heavily credited in the development of Carson Wentz and the success of Nick Foles when Wentz tore his ACL. Had Reich been hired before DeFilippo Philadelphia would have locked their quarterback coach in as offensive coordinator.
Now with both gone the Eagles have major holes to fill in the coaches rooms.
At first glance the obvious candidate to replace Reich is running back’s coach Duce Staley. Playing 10 years between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Staley was a fan favorite as the Eagles starting running back. In his first 29 starts Staley produced over 3,000 yards from scrimmage with 12 touchdowns. Held back by the emergence of Brian Westbrook, Staley went to Pittsburgh for three years before retiring.
Staley has withstood multiple coaching changes in Philadelphia after being hired by Andy Reid in 2010. Moving up the ranks with Chip Kelly and Doug Pederson Staley has familiarized himself with the roster and coaches around the league.
Hesitation in hiring Staley comes when looking at the Eagles recent history of hiring coaches. Their front office, led by Howie Roseman, has centered their franchise around developing and protecting quarterback Carson Wentz. Hiring former NFL quarterbacks such as Pederson and Reich was a big piece in the process of developing an MVP candidate.
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If the goal of the organization is to surround Wentz with former quarterbacks, then Staley doesn’t fit the mold. That mantra could change depending on who Pederson names quarterbacks coach.
Staley has also received criticism for his handling of the run game and dividing of carries. That tone changed with the additions of LeGarrette Blount and Jay Ajayi, but the concerns surrounding his abilities in-game are there.
Pederson is the play-caller, which does take pressure off Staley as a rookie coordinator.
Outside candidates such as Mike Shula and Darrell Bevell are also rumored to be an option for Pederson. The son of Don Shula, the NFL’s all-time winningest coach, Mike was recently let go as the Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator. He’s worked as a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator in Miami, Tampa Bay, and Jacksonville, and was also the head coach at Alabama prior to Nick Saban.
Bevell, a four-year starting quarterback for Wisconsin, worked as the Seahawks offensive coordinator from 2011-17. He’s rumored to be a candidate for multiple offensive coordinator positions, including the New York Giants.
The entire search for an offensive coordinator will be surrounded in keeping Wentz on track as the franchise quarterback. Being a running back Staley won’t have a leg up, but the respect felt towards him within the Eagles organization could push him over the top.