Eagles News: Nick Sirianni is sticking with Kevin Patullo, despite calls for play-caller change
After latest collapse, Eagles have no choice but to replace Kevin Patullo - NBCSP
Now, all that said, I don’t think Patullo is the entire problem. Injuries on the offensive line have been damaging. Saquon Barkley’s struggles go beyond play calling. Pre-snap penalties wiping out big gains aren’t on the play caller. And let’s not lose sight of the fact that this is Nick Sirianni’s offense and a lot of the issues we’re seeing now have popped up here and there under Sirianni himself early in 2021, under Brian Johnson in 2023 and much of the season last year under Kellen Moore. He deserves a big chunk of the blame for an offense loaded with talent struggling the way it has. But play calling is an art form, and some people are good at it and some aren’t. Patullo has had enough chances. It’s time to let somebody else give play calling a shot before it’s too late. There is no obvious candidate like there was in 2021, when Sirianni replaced himself with Shane Steichen, who was brilliant at it. Play calling is an art form and some guys master it and some don’t. You have to truly understand the strengths and weaknesses of your own players while also getting in the head of opposing coaches so you know what they’re going to do before they do it. Steichen did that innately and we’re seeing it this year with the job he’s doing with the Colts. So there’s no Shane Steichen waiting in the bullpen, but there’s quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler. There’s passing game coordinator Parks Frazier. There’s tight ends coach Jason Michael. They’ve all called plays in the past on the college or NFL level and had success with it. I don’t even care who does it. I just know that after watching the Eagles blow a 21-point 2nd-quarter lead and go scoreless over their final eight drives against a bottom-5 defense, things can’t get a whole lot worse.
Eagles’ legend (and others) blast team’s play calling, so is it time for a change at OC? - NJ.com
There was biting commentary from Philadelphia folk hero Nick Foles even before the Eagles’ offense delivered another clunker against the Cowboys. During his “The SZN Lock In” podcast with Evan Ward, Foles said the Eagles use “simplistic” route trees that do not help their receivers get open. “Creativity is key as a play caller, and calling the plays at the right time … is just an art,” he said. “I don’t think anyone sees it. Fans that are passionate Eagles fans — because I’ve been to Philly several times — and you hear, every time I run across Philly fans, ’Man, what do you think is going to happen with the offense? What’s going on? Is this Jalen?’ I’m like, ‘Listen, it’s a team thing. Kevin Patullo is probably a great dude, a great coach, but there’s an art to play-calling that not everyone has and it’s not showing up this year. They’re in more of a trajectory of the 2023 season.’” Ouch and double ouch. That, of course, was the year of the great collapse when no coordinator’s job was safe. Rightfully and predictably, the head coach was asked if he has considered making a change in the play-calling operation ahead of Friday’s game against the Chicago Bears at Lincoln Financial Field. “No, I haven’t,” he said. “As coaches, we’re always looking for answers and we’re never into assigning blame. It’s just looking for answers. I think what sometimes can happen is it’s like, ‘It’s just this.’ Well, it’s not just that. It’s every piece of the puzzle: coaching, playing, execution, scheme, everything. We’ve got to be better in all of those aspects.
Bowen: In Eagles coach Nick Sirianni’s world, no one is to blame and nothing gets fixed - PHLY
I have two little voices on my shoulders right now, like the angel and the devil in old cartoons. The angel is saying, “This is how it goes the year after winning a Super Bowl. There’s a reason why the Chiefs were the first team in 20 years to win them back-to-back. The Rams (everyone’s new best team in the NFL this year) went 5-12 in 2022 after winning it in 2021. Bleep happens.” The devil on the other shoulder is pointing out that there is no really great team this year, not even the Rams (ask Jordan Davis’s big hand), and that chances to win a Super Bowl are so very finite. The Eagles won’t have this array of talent offensively and defensively forever. More players will leave in free agency. Hurts will age. Yes, Howie Roseman’s a miracle worker, but even so, this window will close. It does for everyone. It’s closing for the Chiefs, right now, right before our eyes. If you have the talent to win this year – and I believe the Eagles do – it’s an absolute sin to keep shuffling along, not rising to the occasion, telling critics “well, sometimes it’s this and sometimes it’s that and blah blah blah.” Roseman or Jeffrey Lurie needs to rattle some cages here. Stop obfuscating. Figure it out.
Nick Sirianni’s Eagles routinely pass up opportunities for points at the end of the first half - PhillyVoice
Remember in the NFC Championship Game during the 2017-2018 season when the Philadelphia Eagles hit on a few chunk plays and kicked a field goal at the end of the first half to go up three scores against the Minnesota Vikings? That was fun, right? A quick trip down memory lane: Following a Vikings punt, the Eagles got the ball at their own 20 yard line with 29 seconds left in the first half, and all three timeouts in their pocket. They ran a swing pass to Jay Ajayi for 11 yards, followed by an aggressive out and up route by Zach Ertz for 36 yards, and then a screen to Ajayi for 13 insurance yards to give Jake Elliott an easier kick. The Eagles took a 21-7 score and made it 24-7 just before the end of the half. And while they were “just” three points, they were uplifting for the Eagles heading into the locker room, and no doubt demoralizing to the Vikings. In their matchup against the Cowboys on Sunday evening, the Eagles had the ball at their own 28 yard line with 17 seconds left, with, OH HEY (!) a 21-7 lead. Unlike Doug Pederson in that NFC Championship Game, Nick Sirianni opted not to make a serious effort to score points at the end of the half, calling a Saquon Barkley run behind Grant Calcaterra and then letting the rest of the clock run out. […] The Eagles used to be aggressive hunters of points. They are not that anymore. Sirianni would rather give up on unlikely-but-realistic scoring opportunities, in fear that extremely unlikely worst case scenarios will happen instead.
Eagles Blow It! Takeaways From the Loss to the Cowboys With BLG. - The Ringer’s Philly Special
Sheil is joined by Brandon Lee Gowton of Bleeding Green Nation to discuss the Eagles loss to the division-rival Cowboys on Brandon Aubrey’s 42-yard field goal as time expired and the Cowboys beat the Eagles 24-21. What happened to the offense in the second half after they were rolling in the first? The run game is still an issue that hasn’t been resolved. How well did the defense play? Plus, a quick look-a-head to Friday’s Black Friday game against the Bears.
Caleb Williams Leads Bears into Playoff Contention, With Ben Johnson's Masterplan Shaping the Future
Caleb Williams, the Chicago Bears' rookie sensation, is proving week by week that he is more than just a future prospect. Under the guidance of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Williams is emerging as a quarterback capable of guiding the Bears into playoff contention in the 2025 season. What started as a promising rookie year has now turned into one of the most exciting storylines in the NFL, with Williams stepping up as the leader the Bears desperately needed.
“Every snap, every decision, I’m thinking about how I can make this team better. It’s not just about my growth; it’s about growing with these guys and showing them that we can compete with the best,”
The Transformation Under Ben Johnson
What has made the Bears' offensive turnaround possible has been the seamless integration of Williams into Ben Johnson’s dynamic offensive system. The offensive coordinator, known for his innovative schemes and ability to adapt, has tailored the Bears' game plan to fit Williams' strengths. From the play-action passing game to deep shots downfield, Johnson has been instrumental in making Williams comfortable in an offense that has the potential to be explosive.
Under Johnson’s system, Williams has flourished, showing not only his arm strength but also his ability to make quick decisions under pressure. Johnson’s ability to craft plays that allow Williams to showcase his strengths has given the Bears a major advantage, making their offense one of the most exciting in the league.
“I don’t just focus on making the perfect throw. I focus on reading the defense, making quick decisions, and getting the ball to the right playmakers,” Williams explained. “Coach Johnson has put us in a position where I can just play fast and trust my instincts.”
The Road to Playoffs: Rising to the Challenge
As the season progresses, the challenge for Williams and the Bears is clear: maintain this momentum and continue to prove that they can compete with the NFC’s top teams. With the Bears still in the hunt for a playoff spot, Williams' leadership on offense will be crucial to their success. This means making the necessary adjustments and performing under the bright lights in critical moments.
The Bears have a tough schedule ahead, with matchups against some of the best teams in the NFC, including the defending Super Bowl champions and division rivals. But if Williams continues to perform at this level, with Johnson’s offensive mastermind guiding him, the Bears could very well make a deep playoff run.
Williams' performance has not gone unnoticed around the league. His ability to read defenses, make quick decisions, and execute big plays has earned him recognition as one of the top young quarterbacks in the NFL. His play in clutch situations has helped solidify his reputation as someone who thrives under pressure.
The Playoff Dream: Can Williams Deliver for Chicago?
As the Bears look ahead to the remainder of the season, all eyes will be on Williams to see if he can continue to lead the charge. The potential is there, and with the right coaching, the right game plan, and his unwavering commitment, Williams could become the quarterback that helps bring the Bears back into championship contention for the first time in over a decade.
But while the future is bright, Williams knows the journey is far from over. “It’s about consistency,” Williams said. “We’ve got a long way to go, but I know that if we keep improving every week, we’re going to be a tough team to beat.”
As the NFC playoff picture begins to take shape, the Bears' playoff hopes rest firmly on the shoulders of their rookie quarterback. And if his early-season performance is any indication, Chicago could be in for a thrilling postseason run.
