The Philadelphia Eagles are hours away from their Super Bowl LVII clash with the Chiefs following a dominant win over a limping San Francisco 49ers team. Ian Rapoport announced in the run-up to the game that Eagles defensive coordinator, Jonathan Gannon, will be interviewing with the Arizona Cardinals on Monday.
This comes on the back of Gannon telling a reporter after the win against San Francisco that ’Philly’s keeping me, good, bad or indifferent.’ That as one hell of a statement to make and one that will have rallied the entire city around him. However, you can’t blame him for at least exploring the potential Head Coaching opportunity.
Jonathan Gannon’s rise in Philly
Jonathan Gannon hasn’t exactly had a smooth sailing relationship with Eagles fans since joining as defensive coordinator last year. Despite the impressive stats, his scheme has often been criticized for giving up huge chunk plays in key situations and struggling against strong quarterbacks. However, this season has shown that with an influx of new talented players who fit his system can make a world of difference.
The Eagles became the first team in NFL history to have four players with double digit sacks in the same season. They also led the entire league in sacks, breaking their own franchise record in the process. The Birds also ranked 1st in the NFL in opposing yards per game, and 5th in interceptions forced. It’s not hard to see why the Cardinals want to swipe him away.
If Jonathan Gannon keeps his word, it not only shows just how important culture is to this City, but it would provide this team with some much-needed stability after a volatile five-year stretch that has seen them go from World Champions to a complete implosion, to another Super Bowl appearance.
The Cardinals will be looking to create some of that stability for themselves, hence the interest in Gannon. It remains to be seen just how mutual that interest is, but nobody can blame Gannon for agreeing to have the experience in order to prepare him for the future.
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