The growing affinity for Georgia products continues. From Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis to Nakobe Dean and Kelee Ringo, the Eagles seem to really love what the Bulldogs are creating all over the field.
The Eagles have left no room for honeymoon following their Super Bowl LIX victory, as they’ve maintained a level of activity that’s akin to a team desperate for silverware after a long drought. Having added to their coaching staff former Georgia assistant quarterbacks coach, Montgomery Van Gorder, the Birds are looking to diversify their offensive attack in preparation for the coming season.
Who is Montgomery VanGorder
The assistant quarterbacks coach who was once a QB himself, worked at Georgia since 2019 and quickly became one of Smart’s top offensive assistants. He was instrumental in developing standout quarterbacks, like Stetson Bennett, Carson Beck and Gunner Stockton.
Having handled several responsibilities at different times, VanGorder is said to have been a huge asset to Georgia, moving from quality control to assistant quarterback coach at some point. In fact, over the last few years, he has played a very decisive role in Georgia’s recruitment at the quarterback position.
Before venturing into coaching, VanGorder played four years of college football at Notre Dame before moving to Youngstown State. While he was with the Penguins in 2018, he put up 1,929 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
With this move, VanGorder becomes the latest addition to the Eagles’ 2025 coaching staff. The group had already lost offensive coordinator, Kellen Moore, after he became the head coach of New Orleans Saints in February. Sirianni replaced Moore by promoting passing game coordinator, Kevin Patullo, and hired Bowling Green head coach, Scott Loeffler, as his quarterbacks coach.
Eagles outlook
The many incomings and outgoings among the offensive coaches shouldn’t create any setback, seeing the team has retained a good number of their offensive players. Whether premeditated or accidental, the offense has an overhauled coaching staff, while retaining a slew of the offensive players. On the flip side, the defense has lost most of its key players, while maintaining almost the same lineup of coaches
Clearly, a rebuild is happening on both ends of the Eagles’ roster. But while the offense radiates with brilliant veterans, like Jalen Hurt, Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith; the defense is left to struggle with lusterless young guns, like Joshua Uche, Jalyx Hunt and Sydney Brown, having suffered the loss of Josh Sweat, C.J Gardner-Johnson, Milton Williams and Darius Slay.
It poses the question of if the Eagles are really looking to reinforce their offense at the expense of the defense. Well, the only relief lies in the fact that we are still early into the free agency window and with the possibilities of more additions to the team, the defense could wear a new look before the season begins.
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