The Philadelphia Eagles hired Nick Sirianni to help the franchise in the post-Carson Wentz era, a time when the franchise will be developing a young defender to lead the organization for years to come. It is not known whether that defender will be Jalen Hurts or a first-round pick in the NFL’s 2021 Draft, but Sirianni is confident that any caller will succeed in the offensive system that the technical team is creating.
The Eagles have a young offensive technical team, starting with offensive coordinator Shane Steichen – who has already received great reviews from the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, Justin Herbert. Sirianni saw the progress Herbert made in 2020, convincing him that Steichen can do the same in Philadelphia.
“The way he thinks and talks about the quarterback to make the game simple for the quarterback – he has a unique way,” said Sirianni in an individual interview with Eagles Insider Dave Spadaro. “We saw it with Herbert, how he was able to take a young quarterback who never played in the NFL and make him the rookie of the year. He just has a lot of passion, especially when he’s taking that position. As we all know, it is the most important position in all sports.
“Having your experience in that area will be huge for this football team.”
Sirianni doesn’t just have Steichen, who trained with him on the Los Angeles Chargers from 2013 to 2017, on his team to help a young defender. He also managed to bring Brian Johnson from the University of Florida as the new coach of the defenders, who has an impressive call history, despite never having trained in the NFL.
“You saw what he did with that attack in Florida. Super impressive,” said Sirianni. “He brings so many good ideas. He brings an element of the university game that we all have.”
Johnson doesn’t have a connection with Sirianni, but it hurts. He has known the Eagles’ quarterback since Hurts was four and even tried to recruit Hurts when he was the quarterback coach in the state of Mississippi.
Sirianni is confident that Steichen and Johnson can develop any young quarterback that the Eagles bring, but it is a strong sign for Hurts’ future, whether he is the undisputed titleholder in 2021 or not.