The Philadelphia Eagles have completely transformed the organization since Chip Kelly was the team’s head coach from 2013-2015.
After turning Oregon into an offensive powerhouse in college football, Kelly agreed to terms with the Eagles to become the team’s head coach on January 16, 2013. Although general manager Howie Roseman ran the team’s drafts and free agency signings in his first two seasons with the team, Kelly had the final say over the 53-man roster. His predecessor, Andy Reid, also had the title and/or powers of general manager for most of his tenure.
In his first season, Kelly reversed the Eagles’ fortunes of the previous year. Taking over a team that went 4–12 in 2012, Reid’s last year, Kelly led the Eagles to a 10–6 record and the NFC East Division Championship, becoming just the second head coach in league history to win a division title in his first season in the NFL.
The Philadelphia Eagles lost in the first round of the playoffs at home to the New Orleans Saints 26–24, on a last-second field goal.
In his second season in Philadelphia, Kelly finished with an identical 10–6 record, but, the Eagles failed to make the playoffs in 2014.
On January 2, 2015, Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie announced that Kelly would assume control of the 90-man roster (including authority over the draft and free agency), while Roseman would be “elevated” to the role of Executive Vice President of Football Operations, remaining in control of the salary cap and contracts. Soon afterward, the Eagles traded All-Pro running back LeSean McCoy and Pro Bowl QB Nick Foles.
On December 29, 2015, with the Eagles at 6–9, Kelly was fired before the final regular season game, in a statement made by Lurie.
Former Philadelphia Eagles Stars DeSean Jackson And LeSean McCoy Make Racial Allegations Against Chip Kelly
Two of Chip Kelly’s former players have accused the ex- Eagles head coach of being uncomfortable with black players.
Kelly’s time in charge of the Eagles proved disastrous, to the point where owner Jeff Lurie said one of his biggest regrets was handing the coach complete control of the team.
The 60-year-old has often been blamed for destroying what would have been a dynasty with the Philadelphia Eagles organization, by trading away some of their best players.
DeSean Jackson and LeSean McCoy were among the stars traded by Kelly. According to McCoy, he was going to trade Brandon Graham before Lurie stopped him.
Speaking on ‘25/10 Show’ this week, Jackson and McCoy tore into their former head coach, ripping him for the way he treated them and other players. McCoy also claimed that the former Philadelphia Eagles head coach was not comfortable dealing with the black players on the roster.
It’s time to tell the truth about Chip Kelly…@DeSeanJackson10 & @CutonDime25 tell the raw, unfiltered story about what happened to the Eagles dynasty that could’ve been 🦅 #FlyEaglesFly
Full episode drops tomorrow @ 8am PT // 11am ET ⏰
Subscribe 📺 →… pic.twitter.com/HIXhvID3GU
— 25/10Show (@2510show) May 8, 2024
“You didn’t send me to Buffalo (in a trade) because you thought it was the best move for the team. You sent me there to die,” he said.
“I never really (was) able to get the benefit of the doubt that I deserved bro, and it was all like off of Chip Kelly,” Jackson chimed in
“I’ve never met a coach that was uncomfortable dealing with black players,” McCoy said.
“There’d be times when he’d send Duce Staley to tell me something, and I’d ask ‘Why you saying that? Those aren’t your words, and he’d be like ‘Well Chip said…’ and I’d go ask Chip about it and he’d never say it to me,”he added.
Jackson unleashed on him in a rant last year in which he blamed the former Philadelphia Eagles coach for dismantling the team.
Speaking on Thursday, the players recalled when Kelly made former quarterback Michael Vick cry. McCoy recalled Vick telling him he cried more from dealing with the coach than when he went to prison.