If the Eagles are looking for young, innovative offensive minds, and not a retread former coach, two interesting candidates for the Offensive Coordinator position are Zac Robinson and Liam Coen (I know, who?).
They are both from the Sean McVay tree, and they have both been dynamic in getting the most out of their players – something the Eagles clearly need to prioritize.
Zac Robinson
Zac is one of the hottest names circulating this coaching cycle and for good reason. He has been the passing game coordinator and Quarterback coach, for the LA Rams for the last two seasons. He was one of the masterminds who schemed Puka Nacua to 3 NFL rookie records in a season which included, most receiving yards with 1,486, most receptions with 105, and also the rookie record for receptions in a game with 15. To put this type of success into context, Puka Nacua was a 5th-round pick. Nineteen WRs were drafted ahead of him in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Robinson would bring with him something that has been sorely missed from the Eagles’ offense, pre-snap motion. The other aspects of his offense he utilizes such as duo concepts and bunch formations would be welcomed additions too.
Spreading the ball around the field in multiple formations as well as getting the ball to other receivers on the field so that the passing plays are not so predictable would be a focus. This season WR3 and 4 for the Eagles, Quez Watkins and Olamide Zaccheus, had 41 total combined targets good for 25 receptions. The Rams had 39 receptions from their WR3 Tutu Atwell alone.
During his tenure with the Rams as passing-game coordinator and Quarterbacks coach over the last two years he helped Stafford achieve the highest completion percentage of his career (68%), in 2022, and during the 2021 season Stafford had 4886 passing yards, and 41 TDs.
Robinson also got the most out of Baker Mayfield when he was called upon due to injuries. Baker completed 82-of-129 passes for 850 yards and four touchdowns in the five games he started for the Rams. Those performances helped Mayfield land a starting job in 2023 as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB this past season.
It is intriguing to think what Zac could do with Eagles playmakers such as Jalen Hurts, AJ Brown, and DeVonta Smith.
Liam Coen
Like Zac, Liam is another branch from the ever-growing Sean McVay tree. He is also more of an out-of-the-box pick. He has one year of experience as an NFL OC, which was in 2022 for the Rams. That season was his second tour with the Rams.
Liam is currently the OC for Kentucky where he calls the offensive plays, something that was stripped of him as OC with the Rams and a duty he relishes and wants to have if he is to move to another NFL job.
It is unlikely he would accept the role without that responsibility. Teaching is his passion and he’s learned from his time away from the NFL what he wants to do throughout his career as a Coach and as a play-caller.
This should not be an issue for the Eagles and Nick Sirianni.
Coen runs a pro-style scheme, and calls a balanced attack that includes a lot of play-action to get the ball to the playmakers and to get the TEs involved!
As the Rams WR Coach in 2018 and 2019. He helped Kupp develop into a 1000-yard receiver.
When he transitioned to QB coach in 2020 he guided Jared Goff to the second-best completion percentage of his career
Before returning to the NFL, Liam was the architect of the 2021 offense that Will Levis excelled in which catapulted him into a 2nd round pick.
What should the Eagles be looking for?
Both Coordinators bring fresh ideas, a solid resume’ and a proven track record of getting the most out of their players and superstars. If the Eagles are looking to infuse youth into the job, these potential candidates would be worth a look.
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