Former Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen has left for greener pastures in Indianapolis. Who should replace him?
Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator and Dax Shepard look-alike Shane Steichen has officially been named head coach of the Indianapolis Colts in 2023.
It’s an unsurprising hire for the Colts, who have loved dipping into the Eagles’ coaching pool for the past several years now, and it’s just as unsurprising for the Eagles who are coming off a dominant Super Bowl run.
Any elite NFL team’s coaching staff is bound to be poached at some point (unless you have the unlucky fate of Eric Bieniemy), and Steichen’s departure opens up an exciting transition period for the Philly franchise.
The Eagles reached the Super Bowl in Steichen’s second year as offensive coordinator, yet this position ranks as one of the most desirable in the league since whoever fills Steichen’s large shoes will inherit a wholly complete and elite squad.
Can the Eagles find the right man for the job? Here are three candidates.
Eagles offensive coordinator replacements: 3. Brian Johnson
We’ll start with the most obvious choice here. Eagles quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson has the most straightforward path to taking the offensive coordinator job, and moving Johnson up the ranks feels like a sensible, fool-proof move.
Johnson’s promotion would trigger a trickle-down effect to give other Philly assistants an opportunity to take on more responsibility, and keeping things in-house would, in theory, serve as the most natural and seamless way to pass the baton.
As far as Johnson’s relationship with Jalen Hurts, the former Utah quarterback happens to be a family friend of Hurts having played for Hurts’ father, Averion Hurts, in high school.
Johnson made an immediate impact in his first season with the Eagles in 2021, helping Hurts develop as a dual-threat quarterback as Hurts threw for 3,000-plus passing yards and 750-plus rushing yards.
If there are still any doubts in Philly regarding whether Hurts is the Eagles’ quarterback of the future, Johnson can stamp them out. Johnson helped quarterback Kyle Trask and tight end Kyle Pitts reach new heights in Florida, and he can do the same for Hurts and a supremely talented Eagles supporting cast.
