Shortly after Nick Sirianni hiring became official, Philadelphia Eagles longtime assistant coach Duce Staley asked to be released from his contract, according to Mike Garofolo of the NFL Network. Staley, a former Eagles running back who has been on the Philadelphia coaching staff since 2011, was interviewed to become the team’s next coach. That position was eventually filled by Sirianni, who comes to Philadelphia after spending the past three seasons as an offensive coordinator for the Colts.
Staley, who will speak to Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie about his contract, has some teams interested in him, according to Garofolo. Staley’s departure would mean that the Eagles would have to find a new running back trainer, a position Staley has held since 2013. The Bears and Lions are among the teams that are interested in adding Staley to their team, according to Garofolo.
The fifth biggest rusher in the franchise’s history, Staley helped the Eagles advance to three consecutive games for the 2001-03 NFC title. After seven seasons in Philadelphia, Staley ended his career at the Steelers, winning a Super Bowl ring as a member of the 2005 Pittsburgh champion team. Staley, after serving as a coaching intern during the 2010 season, officially joined the Eagles as a quality control coach for special teams in 2011. Staley, who was promoted to running back coach in 2013, was named coach- deputy chief in 2018 soon after the Eagles’ 41-33 victory over the Patriots in the Super Bowl LII.
Running backs that were successful with Staley include LeSean McCoy, Darren Sproles, Ryan Mathews, LeGarrette Blount, Jay Ajayi and Miles Sanders. McCoy was nominated for two Pro Bowls in two seasons with Staley as his running back trainer. In 2017, the Blount and Ajayi duo helped bring home the first Philadelphia Super Bowl title. Sanders, the choice of team in the second round in 2019, has become one of the best young running backs in the NFL.
Before hiring Sirianni, Lurie alluded to Staley when asked about his team’s search for a coach.
“I think we are very open and it is important to make sure that we have some of the best minority candidates in the poll. I think it is very important for us, for the league and it is the most important,” said Lurie. “(Duce) is a great representative of the Eagles and knows our values. I hope he participates in the search too.”