The year-to-year regression from the Philadelphia Eagles defense just comparing 2022 to 2023 is alarming. A year after becoming the first team in NFL history to have four players record double-digit sacks, the Eagles defensive line took a step back in 2023. Despite unmatched investments on the defensive line, it’s struggled and that has exposed one of the least effective secondaries in the NFL.

Talent is part of the problem, especially at linebacker, cornerback and safety. Improving those areas will require talent evaluation and acquisition through the NFL Draft and free agency. However, coaching is just as big of a problem in Philadelphia. Bill Belichick, even in 2023, is the smartest defensive coach in the NFL.

Injuries, there were a lot of them for New England in 2023, didn’t prevent New England from having a top-12 defense during the 2023 regular season. Nor did the Patriots’ defense struggle, even with its offense turning the football over and going 3-and-out at a higher rate than almost any other team.

Offensively, Howie Roseman and Jeffrey Lurie wouldn’t have to worry about Belichick’s recent history of draft whiffs impacting Philadelphia. Roseman is one of the best talent evaluators in the game with a resume that Belichick would trust enough to make the final call on draft day. Philadelphia’s front office would have to make a sacrifice, allowing Belichick to build his own staff, but the upside is the Eagles would remain a Super Bowl contender with Belichick as their defense improves while talent carries the offense.

One thing the 202

There might be plenty of Eagles fans who don’t want to roll the dice on a linebackers coach. However, Jerod Mayo is a lot more than that. After Patriots owner Robert Kraft extended Mayo’s contract this offseason, keeping him away from head-coaching interviews, he rolled out a game plan to prepare Mayo to become an NFL head coach and that experience included being involved in personnel meetings.

3 NFL season has demonstrated is that quarterback Jalen Hurts needs more help from his play-caller. He’s still capable of playing at a very high level, but Philadelphia will also be asking him to carry more of the weight moving forward. As the Eagles’ offensive line gets older, with Lane Johnson and Jason Kelce nearing retirement, this franchise needs a coach who can make the most out of what he has.

Johnson doesn’t have the arsenal in Detroit that he would in Philadelphia. The Eagles’ would provide him with the MVP-caliber quarterback to run a new version of his offense and a ground game with Hurts and D’Andre Swift paired with Philadelphia’s receiving corps could do wonders with Johnson’s play designs. If Philadelphia truly wants to strike on a coaching candidate that many believe can be great, this should be Johnson’s dream job in the NFL.