AP sources: Eagles to hire Colts OC Nick Sirianni as head coach
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles are nearing a deal to hire Nick Sirianni to be their head coach, according to two people familiar with the decision.
Sirianni was the offensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts the past three seasons. He worked under coach Frank Reich, who was offensive coordinator in Philadelphia when the Eagles won the Super Bowl three years ago.
Both people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team hasn’t officially announced the hiring.
One person familiar with the coaching search told the AP in a text message: “Guy is a stud!”
The 39-year-old Sirianni previously served as an assistant coach with the Chiefs and Chargers.
The Eagles fired Doug Pederson following a 4-11-1 season, less than three years after he led the team to the franchise’s only Super Bowl title.
Sirianni, who worked with Andrew Luck, Jacoby Brissett and Philip Rivers in Indianapolis, is tasked with figuring out how to get Carson Wentz back to his 2017 form. Wentz finished third in NFL MVP voting that season and helped the Eagles earn the No. 1 seed in the NFC. He tore two knee ligaments in Week 14 and watched Nick Foles lead the team to victory over New England and earn Super Bowl MVP honors.
Wentz was benched for rookie Jalen Hurts for the final four games in 2020 after the worst season of his five-year career. Wentz’s four-year, $128 million contract kicks in this year, making it difficult for the Eagles to trade him. Sirianni’s top priority has to be solving the quarterback dilemma.
Sirianni began his NFL coaching career as offensive quality control coach in Kansas City in 2009. He also served as an assistant quarterbacks coach and wide receivers coach during four seasons with the Chiefs.
Sirianni held the same positions during five seasons with the Chargers from 2013-17. He joined the Colts when Reich left Philadelphia to take over as Indy’s head coach in 2018. The Colts finished in the top 10 in points and yards in two of Sirianni’s three seasons as offensive coordinator.
