The Philadelphia Eagles have named Doug Pederson as their new head coach, according to a report from The Philadelphia Eagles’ Daily News’ Les Bowen.
It’s a surprise move from the organization, and perhaps it’s owner Jeffrey Lurie’s attempt to bring in a low-profile coach after three years with Chip Kelly. Pederson’s ties to Philly perhaps made him the most comfortable choice for Lurie and general manager Howie Roseman – Pederson was the quarterback in this city before Donovan McNabb, and he comes personally recommended from Andy Reid.
Pederson, who has served as Kansas City’s offensive coordinator since ’13, was formerly the offensive quality control coach (’09-’10) and quarterbacks coach (’11-’12) in Philadelphia. Still, it seems like a fallback plan for the Eagles after Tom Coughlin withdrew his name from the head coaching search this afternoon.
Pederson is certainly an underwhelming choice, and he’ll take over a roster that stumbled to a 7-9 finish in 2015 after consecutive 10-win seasons. Whether or not the team re-signs free agent quarterback Sam Bradford will be the biggest offseason story now that the coaching mystery is solved. It’s a quarterback league, and the identity of the quarterback position is as important to a team’s success as the head coach.
It’s no surprise that Bill Belichick’s success in New England coincided with the arrival of Tom Brady. Meanwhile, his tenure in Cleveland was marked by inconsistency at quarterback. Likewise, Mike McCarthy and Sean Payton have lasted a decade in their respective cities largely due to Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees, while Tom Coughlin thrived in New York with Eli Manning.
It’s not easy to find a Brady or Rodgers or even Eli Manning, but Pederson’s ability to find and develop his new quarterback will make or break his coaching career. Considering what the organization – particularly Kelly – gave up to acquire Bradford, it’s likely that he is re-signed. Then again, there’s always the possibility that Bradford goes elsewhere, in which case the Eagles are scrambling to find their signal-caller.
It’s safe to say Ryan Fitzpatrick and Kirk Cousins will each be re-signed by their respective team. The quarterback market consists of backup types like Matt Moore and Chase Daniel. While Daniel did tutor under Pederson for three years in Kansas City, he’s going to want a chance to compete for a starting spot somewhere. The Eagles already have Mark Sanchez under contract for 2016, so while that’s theoretically an option, it’s not an overwhelming plan for success.
Realistically, the organization will either re-sign Bradford to a long-term deal or spend a high draft pick on a hopeful franchise quarterback, and then it’s likely Sanchez starts for now (ironically enough, playing the stopgap role Pederson played for McNabb back in 1999). However the organization sets up the quarterback position heading into 2016, it will be Pederson’s job to groom the new quarterback (or Bradford) into a Pro Bowl player that can compete for a championship. Ultimately, that’s how his tenure will be viewed as successful or not.
