February 14, 2023
Kate Frese/for PhillyVoice
Former Eagles defensive coordinator and new Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon
The Arizona Cardinals are finalizing a deal to make Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon their new head coach, according to a report from ESPN.
Cardinals are finalizing a deal with former Eagles’ defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon to become their new head coach, sources tell ESPN. The last HC opening of this hiring cycle is being filled.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 14, 2023
Eagles now are losing both their defensive and offensive coordinators, on the… https://t.co/BRU2yCz4cG pic.twitter.com/V7S1RQXNGW
Gannon was a much-debated figure in his two years as the Birds' defensive coordinator. The Eagles' defense has put up good numbers overall statistically, but has sometimes been aesthetically unpleasing to watch within Gannon's sometimes passive scheme that often required the opposing offense to make mistakes in order to be effective. Generally speaking, when the Eagles played opposing offenses with shaky quarterbacks, they dominated. When they played good quarterbacks, they were shredded. Gannon's last game as the Eagles' defensive coordinator ended on a low note, as he did not have any answers in the Super Bowl for the Chiefs' offensive scheme under Andy Reid and Eric Bieniemy.
The Eagles will immediately begin a search to replace Gannon as well as former offensive coordinator Shane Steichen, who left to become the Indianapolis Colts' new head coach. Eagles quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson is the in-house favorite to replace Steichen if the Eagles hire from within, while defenisve backs coach Dennard Wilson is the most logical in-house replacement for Gannon.
Last offseason, the Eagles retained the entirety of their coaching staff, which was perhaps an underrated advantage. This offseason, after a 14-3 regular season and a trip to the Super Bowl, the Eagles got poached, and will have new faces in important positions.
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