The Philadelphia Eagles are headed for a full revamp of their defensive staff. The Eagles are reportedly parting ways with senior defensive assistant Matt Patricia.
The news of Patricia’s departure came just hours following reports about defensive coordinator Sean Desai.
The Eagles fired Desai after just one season with the team. But it won’t be Patricia replacing him for the full-time job.
#Eagles senior defensive assistant Matt Patricia is not under contract and plans to explore other opportunities, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
Patricia took on play-calling last month under difficult circumstances, running someone else’s scheme with a depleted unit. He’ll be a…
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 22, 2024
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni entrusted Patricia with defensive play-calling duties after Philadelphia’s 33-13 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14.
Desai’s defense had given up 33.6 points per game over their last three contests at that point after allowing just 21.2 points over their first 10 games.
However, the Eagles’ injury-riddled defensive unit remained mediocre under Patricia. Philly’s season ended with a 32-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card Round
The midseason change from Desai to Patricia also caused uncertainty within the Eagles’ locker room. Pro Bowler Darius Slay said it best when he likened the situation to “having two marriages.”
