Report reveals why Eagles made unexpected coaching demotion

Dec 25, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; General overall view of the Philadelphia Eagles logo at midfield during an NFL football game between the Oakland Raiders and the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia Eagles reshuffled some staff responsibilities ahead of Monday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks, and we are starting to get an understanding of why.

The Eagles are demoting defensive coordinator Sean Desai and shifting playcalling duties to defensive assistant Matt Patricia starting Monday. The reason apparently was not completely because of on-field performance, but because Desai was struggling to get players to buy in.

A source told Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer that Desai “doesn’t carry himself with confidence,” and that “some players started to feel that.”

The Eagles have admittedly struggled defensively for several weeks running. They have given up 33 points or more in each of their last three games. It does make sense that players might struggle within a scheme if they feel that even the coach is not fully confident in it.

The big question is whether Patricia can turn things around. He has not exactly won plaudits for his performance in his last few coaching stops.