The Philadelphia Eagles had the look of a Super Bowl contender throughout most of the 2023 NFL campaign. However, last season’s runner-up began to spiral out of control midway through the year — all the way to a Wild Card Round exit.
According to Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown, someone had to take the blame for the Eagles’ swift fall from grace.
One such fall guy was offensive coordinator Brian Johnson, who was fired by the Eagles shortly after the team’s season ended.
Philadelphia Eagles Wide Receiver AJ Brown Was Unsurprised By Brian Johnson’s Firing
Brown recently spoke to the Associated Press’ Rob Maaddi, who asked the Eagles star what he thought of Johnson’s dismissal.
“I wasn’t surprised. In this league, somebody has to be the bad guy when something doesn’t go well,” Brown told Maaddi. “It wasn’t a surprise. … Regardless of whoever you put [at offensive coordinator], it comes down to the players executing and making plays. Me personally, I’m not too attached to whoever’s in the OC position because I have a job to do. If my number’s called, I have to answer.”
#Eagles WR A.J. Brown said he wasn’t surprised OC Brian Johnson lost his job because in the NFL “somebody has to be the bad guy” when things don’t go well. Brown said “it comes down to players executing and making plays” so he doesn’t get “too attached” to the OC. pic.twitter.com/9ViX7CwrtF
— Rob Maaddi (@RobMaaddi) February 2, 2024
Philadelphia kept head coach Nick Sirianni but opted for a clean slate when it came to both coordinator spots for next season. Aside from Johnson, defensive coordinator Sean Desai and senior defensive assistant Matt Patricia, who took over defensive play-calling duties for the Eagles later in the year, were also let go.
Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach Nick Sirianni Now Has His New Coordinators In Place
Sirianni and the Eagles have tabbed veterans Kellen Moore as offensive coordinator and Vic Fangio as defensive coordinator.
Moore spent the last four seasons as the OC of the Dallas Cowboys. He helped turn the Eagles’ division rival into a high-powered offense — at least during the regular season. While Dallas has sputtered in the postseason of late, Moore is more than capable of crafting an efficient offense.
Fangio, meanwhile, had a tumultuous time as the Miami Dolphins’ DC this past season. The Dunmore, Pa. native had an unceremonious exit from South Beach but appears to be a much better philosophical fit with Sirianni than he ever was with Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel.
The Eagles began last season with an NFL-best 10-1 record before stumbling in seven of their final eight games — including their 32-9 blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Philadelphia clearly needed a reset.
Some of the Eagles’ problems go beyond just their coordinators. But as Brown said of Johnson’s firing, someone has to be the bad guy when things go south.