With every new coaching staff comes the desire to bring in players familiar with the shiny new system. We saw Jim Schwartz bring in former Buffalo players such as Leodis McKelvin and Nigel Bradham, so why shouldn’t we expect former Colts/Chargers players to come to the Eagles?
Oh.. the cap? Well.. let’s not talk about that.
This article to simply let you know about available players that have played under any of the new Eagles coaching staff. If I forgot any names, I’m sure you’ll let me know politely.
Offensive free agents with connections to Eagles coaches
Quarterbacks
Jacoby Brissett – Will the Eagles need a new back up quarterback?
Dak Prescott – Brian Johnson coached him at Mississippi State (eyes emoji). Imagine the complete chaos that would happen if the Eagles traded Wentz and signed Dak.
Ryan Fitzpatrick – Another backup QB option. The best year in Fitzpatrick’s career (16 game season) came in 2015 with the Jets. He threw for 3,905 yards (highest), 31 TDs (highest), 15 INTs (lowest in full 16 game season), and went 10-6 (best record by far). His QB coach was Kevin Patullo, current Eagles passing game coordinator.
Blaine Gabbert – If Curtis Modkins gets hired, he was SF’s OC when Gabbert was the QB in 2016.
Running Backs
Marlon Mack – At 25, the talented, yet oft-injured, running back will have his suitors. But if he wants to try to maximize his value for 2022 free agency and take a one-year prove-it deal, his offensive coordinator from Indianapolis should be waiting. (No, this is not to replace Miles Sanders)
Le’Veon Bell – Ready for this stretch? Bell’s best years in Pittsburgh were with Todd Haley at offensive coordinator. Nick Sirianni’s first NFL gig was with the Todd Haley-led Chiefs in 2009. Haley and Sirianni have had a relationship since they’ve worked together. Sirianni texted Haley last week after he got the job. Could Haley steer the new Eagles HC to taking a chance on Bell? It’s a reach but…..
Phillip Lindsay – Another one connected to a potential Modkins hire. Modkins’ development of running backs is extremely impressive, Lindsay included. He went from being a UDFA to one of the best running backs in the league in a very short space of time. Lindsay will have a ton of suitors and is a restricted free agent, but this could be an interesting one if Modkins is hired.
Wide Receivers
Larry Fitzgerald – Want another tinfoil hat theory? Todd Haley was his offensive coordinator from 2007-2008. Frank Reich was his WR coach in 2012. Mike McCoy, former head coach of the Chargers, was his offensive coordinator in 2018. Connect. The. Dots.
Ok.. sorry.. tin foil off. (Yeah he may retire. Who cares)
A.J. Green – I won’t bore you with this one too much. Maybe I already did. But Matt Burke (maybe still on the staff?) spent two seasons with the Bengals. Former Eagles QB coach Bill Lazor was the Bengals QB coach/OC from 2016-2018. Sorry for stretching too much.
T.Y. Hilton – Obviously. A member of the Colts since 2012, Hilton is the most obvious free agent connected to the Eagles and their needs. Hilton spent 2018-2020 with Sirianni and Patullo. Patullo was the wide receivers coach from 2018-19 prior to moving to passing game coordinator.
Zach Pascal – If you remember from my mock draft, Sirianni loves his physical wide receivers who can block. That’s Zach Pascal. Having only known Sirianni and Patullo as his assistant and position coaches, Pascal may want to head for familiarity in his free-agent search. However, he did go 0/1 passing in 2020, so not a good bet for the QB factory.
Corey Davis – Spent one year with new Eagles TE coach Jason Michael when he was the QB coach in Tennessee. That’s all.
JuJu Smith-Schuster – Another Todd Haley connection. That’s all.
Jordan Matthews – For the brand.
Tight End
Tyler Kroft – See A.J. Green
Mo Alie-Cox – Former offensive coordinator, former tight ends coach, and former passing game coordinator all in Philadelphia. He’s 27 and won’t command a big payday.
Trey Burton – Another obvious fit. Superbowl Hero in Philly. Wastes away in Chicago for two years. Plays for Sirianni. Comes home? We’ll see.
Hunter Henry – Henry played for Sirianni and new Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen in 2016-17, and continued to play under Steichen through 2020. Henry will command a decent payday, probably too expensive for the Eagles, but this would be another sense of familiarity for Henry.
Offensive line
I honestly don’t think it’s worth listing names of offensive linemen. I think this will be a position targeted in the draft and will develop the youth already there. If Kelce retires, you have options on the team.
Continue to next page for defensive connections
