The Philadelphia Eagles are one week away from kicking off their 2022-23 season against the Detroit Lions. An infusion of young, dependable talent, and shrewd trades have pushed the team right into playoff contention on paper. That being said, the Eagles are still the seventh youngest roster in the NFL. While a young, veteran group of players, the onus falls on the coaching staff to put the players in the right position, and lead the team to greater heights.
Questions about the 2022-23 coaching staff are just as important as the roster for the incoming season. While some coaches proved their metal in last season’s playoff campaign, others are entering make-or-break seasons of their own.
Head Coach: Nick Sirianni
Sirianni showed an ability to adapt early in his first season as a head coach, which is the number one priority for any coach in the NFL. A lack of an overwhelming ego plays a part in the reason why the locker room and coaching staff seem to be an excellent place before the season begins.
Sirianni isn’t without his question marks though. After announcing that he had given up playcalling early in the 2021 team, the Eagles Head Coach is expected to be the game manager throughout the upcoming season. That means how the team starts games and makes adjustments in the second half, will be directly down to Sirianni and his ability to impact his players.
Sirianni showed incredible leadership last season and looks like the right man for the job. Year two will still be immensely important for the coach.
Offensive Coordinator: Shane Steichen
Steichen took over playcalling and was the main reason why the Eagles made their shift to a more run-dominant team. As a play caller, Steichen did a superb job to get the most out of Jalen Hurts, but he’ll need to do more in 2022. Hurts will directly determine just how good Steichen looks throughout the season.
How the team schemes passes for A.J Brown and DeVonta Smith will also be very intriguing. Steichen is another one who feels safe but will need to continue to grow with his team.
Offensive Assistants: Brian Johnson, Jemal Singleton, Aaron Moorehead, Jeff Stoutland, Jason Michael, Kevin Patullo
Having the same coaching staff is paramount to the growth of Jalen Hurts and the young Eagles offense. Brian Johnson will need to help Hurts reach new heights, while Jemal Singleton has done an excellent job with the revolving door of running backs in 2021. Of course, it’s rather easy to run the ball when Jeff Stoutland is running the offensive line. Stouts is the best assistant coach in football and shows it every day. Moorehead and Michael have also shown their merit with the development of Quez Watkins, and Dallas Goedert.
Defensive Coordinator: Jonathan Gannon
There is no Eagles coach under more pressure than Jonathan Gannon. After a statistically solid season, the eye test of the Eagles’ defense did not pass. A passive approach on defense led to teams with good quarterbacks making the Eagles’ defense look like swiss cheese.
Of course, the lack of pure talent on the roster didn’t help Gannon in 2021. An argument can be made that Gannon’s passive approach was to get the most out of a very weak group talent-wise. That is no longer the case though.
James Bradberry, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Nakobe Dean, Kyzir White, Haason Reddick, and Jordan Davis have changed the entire complexion of the Eagles’ defense. It’s now or never for Gannon to look like a top defensive mind in football.
Defensive Assistants: Tracy Rocker, Nick Rallis, Dennard Wilson, Jeremiah Washburn
Dennard Wilson really should be credited for the continued development of Avonte Maddox and Marcus Epps. The Eagles’ 2022 season could very well hinge on both players on the defensive side of the ball, and Wilson has them ready.
Rocker is one of the first defensive line coaches to stay with the team after a revolving door over the last few years. Washburn and Rallis will be under the microscope to get the most out of players who need to step up in major roles.
Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire
