Josh McDaniels as the Eagles’ next head coach? Several signs seem to point in this direction

While nothing is official at this time, there are plenty of signs that New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels will become the next head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Let’s review all of them:

• The Eagles interviewed McDaniels in person on Sunday. John Clark reports that the meeting lasted “from mid-morning to evening after 9 p.m.. A long interview doesn’t necessarily guarantee a hire, to be clear. But it’s clear it wasn’t just a courtesy meeting. McDaniels is a serious contender. UPDATE: John Clark says he was told at McDaniels “done very well»In his interview.
• McDaniels has ties to Jeffrey Lurie and Howie Roseman. Lurie is originally from Boston and has always loved the Patriots. Lurie also curiously referred to McDaniels on a first name basis during his press conference after Doug Pederson was fired. The context:

“We didn’t know we were going to lose Frank Reich, but all of a sudden it happened when Josh gave up that job and started a whole one – so you have to be aware.

Roseman was a college roommate with Jedd Fisch, who worked with McDaniels as the New England quarterbacks coach in 2020.

10. JOSH MCDANIELS. When I heard that the New England offensive coordinator would be interviewing the Eagles on Sunday, I loved it for three reasons. One: The Eagles interviews are notoriously suckers that last all day; I hear Robert Saleh and Joe Brady each spent over seven hours in the interview chair. So Philly is interviewing people who are interested in the franchise – not checking the box. Two: I like organizations that don’t watch what others are doing. Obviously there is residue from McDaniels who retired from work at Indy two years ago, and that’s understandable. But two years ago the Colts were maybe the best job there, and Andrew Luck wasn’t gone yet, and they had a smart, progressive GM in Chris Ballard, and the Colts picked McDaniels instead. than Mike Vrabel. McDaniels hasn’t taken any stupid pills since then. So much the better for Jeff Lurie and Howie Roseman who judge the overall work of McDaniels, 44, instead of passing judgment on just a bad 2020. In 12 of his 13 seasons as New England’s offensive coordinator, the Patriots have had a Top 10 team. And three: the Eagles clearly want to save Carson Wentz. McDaniels knows how to train quarterbacks and train them hard. We’ll see what happens. Who knows who the Eagles will hire, with Staley now out of the market. But thanks to the Eagles for cross-examining McDaniels.

• The athletic agency that represents Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, whom the Eagles would like to interview, seems to think McDaniels gets the job in Philly:

• Local reporters tell the Eagles about McDaniels:

• Mike Florio, of Pro Football Talk, has indicated that an Eagles hiring could take place as early as this week. The Eagles cannot hire a coach who is currently in the playoffs. McDaniels is not in the playoffs.

“According to a source with knowledge of the dynamics of the search, there is no specific timeframe for making a rental – but it could end sooner rather than later, and quite possibly this week.”

• The Eagles tend to over-correct. First example: The team didn’t have enough speed in 2019, so they went out and forced a first round pick on Jalen Reagor (instead of taking the best available player from Justin Jefferson) due to “form. “. From a coaching perspective, the Eagles used “emotional intelligence” to replace Chip Kelly with Doug Pederson. Maybe now they see Pederson as too forgiving (especially in the case of Carson Wentz) and want someone who will train harder.

So, Eagles fans, maybe it’s time to get ready for McDaniels to replace Pederson. Will not be a popular rental, if this happens:

Elsewhere, in the Eagles coaching buzz …

• The Eagles are would have interviewing Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles on Monday. But wait. How do they meet him if the Bucs are still in the playoffs? Apparently, applicants can bypass the NFL rule and continue to interview if they are permitted by property.
• The Los Angeles Chargers who hired Brandon Staley after previously being linked to Brian Daboll thought (myself included) that the Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator could be a strong candidate for the Eagles job. But it looks like Daboll may be staying in Buffalo: