When it rains, it pours. The Eagles are still currently searching for a new offensive coordinator and on Monday morning, an old friend was relieved of his duties in Jacksonville.
DeFilippo will be a name familiar to many. He was the Eagles’ QB coach during the first two years of the Carson Wentz era, playing a pivotal part in his early development.
That success garnered plenty of attention, and it didn’t take long for teams to come knocking. Jeffery Lurie, who adored the QB coach, stopped one interview in 2017, but was unable to stop him jumping ship to Minnesota as their new offensive coordinator.
That tenure was over quickly, however. ‘Flip’ and HC Mike Zimmer didn’t see eye-to-eye on offensive philosophies and he was fired in week 14. But in a narrative only a Football God could write, he would reunite with a familiar face one year later.
DeFilippo joined Nick Foles in Jacksonville as their offensive coordinator, a tenure that came to a bumpy end quickly.
John DeFilippo was fired by the Jags, leaving HC Doug Marone to take over play-calling duties. His stint in Jacksonville was interesting, and his reunion with Nick Foles shortlived. After the Super Bowl 52 MVP went down with an injury in week one, DeFilippo helped sixth-round rookie Gardner Minshew rally to 3,271 yards and a 21-6 TD/INT ratio.
Flip originally left the Eagles as he wanted playcalling responsibility. It’s since been made clear that maybe that jump was slightly premature for the QB whisperer. Press Taylor, his Eagles QB coach replacement, hasn’t exactly had the same impact on Wentz since stepping up. Although it should be noted, Flip was known for his stern mentality and there were rumors that he and Wentz would clash. Nothing overly negative, but given how Wentz has grown into the franchise quarterback he was destined to be over the last year or so, he may not take so easily to that same style of coaching.
DeFilippo may not be ready to be a play-caller just yet, but perhaps a change of heart could see him return to Philadelphia and take on an offensive coordinator role where he wouldn’t have that responsibility, but can still gain experience within the role. The owner loved him, Wentz thrived in 2017, and he’s now traveled to two different teams and will be able to bring some fresh ideas to the table.
It does make some logical sense and the Eagles will likely explore that potential path over the coming days, but they’d want to be sure that he isn’t going to dip in search of a promotion in the years that follow, with stability
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