PHOENIX – Jeffrey Lurie looked sad. Howie Roseman looked angry.
Lurie’s Eagles had just gambled away a 10-point halftime lead and lost Super Bowl LVII despite Roseman’s best-ever roster. Worse, they’d lost to Andy Reid, the coach they fired 10 years earlier, only to see him now win a second title with the Kansas City Chiefs. And harder times came.
The Eagles went to the Super Bowl, but both Lurie and Roseman knew they were both losing coordinators to head coaching jobs. Most Eagles fans will be disappointed that Shane Steichen has left for Indianapolis. Most will be pleased that Jonathan Gannon stayed in Arizona to coach the Cardinals.
This is exactly the opposite of how they should feel.
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Steichen was the product of his environment, a coalition of forward-thinking minds whose synergy led to excellent results.
But the loss of Gannon isn’t all bad news for the Eagles. It’s catastrophic. Lurie and Roseman know.
Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon with linebacker Haason Reddick during the NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers.. … Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
“Shane’s a good coach, but Gannon is a star,” an NFL source familiar with the Eagles told me Tuesday following reports of Gannon’s departure for Arizona. “He’s smart and his defense has been really good this year. It was like [the Eagles] had two head coaches.”
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Gannon was essentially the assistant head coach. He operated with virtual autonomy. His players adored him. He was by far the brightest jewel on Sirianni’s staff, the most sought-after trainer in the building since the day he landed; An acclaimed DB coach at Indy, he turned down two more coordinator jobs to follow Sirianni to Philadelphia.
Gannon is irreplaceable. In just his second season as defensive coordinator, he brought on eight new frontlines and became the No. 2 football defense, not only leading the league with 70 sacks, but also having the third-highest total in NFL history. It allowed 30 total points in the three games leading up to the Super Bowl, all against playoff teams.
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On Sunday night, Gannon, a Philly outcast, conceded 31 points to Andy Reid, the NFL’s top offense coach, and Patrick Mahomes, the current MVP and perhaps the best quarterback in history. The Chiefs’ respected defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo allowed Nick Freakin’ Sirianni 35 points. Who had a better night? Do the math.
Could Gannon Mahomes have flashed more? Played a little more man? Squeezed a little harder? Secure. But his defensive line, playing on a slippery field, couldn’t get past an underrated offense live, largely because Reid protected Mahomes to the max. And Mahomes has been brilliant against the Blitz for the past two seasons.
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But if you hate Jonathan Gannon because he relies on zone coverage, doesn’t press receivers, and rarely flashes, then you just don’t like winning.
Note: The Chiefs scored a touchdown on a blitz and two more against man coverage. Be careful with your desires.
The future
With Jalen Hurts throwing DeVonta Smith, AJ Brown and Dallas Goedert from behind an elite offensive line, the Eagles offensive roster is well-equipped to return to the Super Bowls in the next three seasons.
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Steichen will be missing. He worked wonders after Game 7 of 2021 when he took over play calling from Sirianni. He became heavy on the run, relying on Hurts’ speed and elusive defenses, while Hurts’ arm grew stronger and more precise, his wits sharper, and his weapons more dangerous.
But Steichen was backed by Sirianni, a former offensive coordinator, as well as Brian Johnson, Hurts’ coaching godfather; Jeff Stoutland, the run game coordinator; and Kevin Patullo, the passing game coordinator.
Jonathan Gannon (left) with head coach Nick Sirianni before the Eagles play the New York Giants January 8. … Read moreDavid Maialetti / Staff Photographer
That wasn’t the case when Doug Pederson lost both offensive coordinator Frank Reich and QB coach John DeFilippo five years ago after Super Bowl LII.
At least the offense will have continuity and it will be fine.
The defense is a different story.
Almost all significant personnel losses will occur on the defensive side of the ball. Cornerback James Bradberry, safeties CJ Gardner-Johnson and Marcus Epps, linebackers TJ Edwards and Kyzir White, defensive end Brandon Graham, and defensive tackles Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, Ndomukong Suh, and Linval Joseph can all be free agents. Seven of those players were starters, and all played significant roles in the Super Bowl run.
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No matter who replaces Gannon — defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson is the front runner, according to a team source — the system and its implementation will not be identical. Neither did teaching defense techniques and philosophies, which was Gannon’s forte.
That’s a huge problem considering the roles young players like Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean and Milton Williams will play in 2023.
Eagles defensive tackle Jordan Davis pressures Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.. … read moreMonica Herndon / Staff Photographer
The young Eagles defensemen just got the hang of Gannon’s plan, which muzzled the 49ers, Giants, Saints, Bears and Titans on the stretch.
Now they have to reset themselves when trying to repeat it.
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