Eagles to replace linebackers coach D.J Eliot
The Philadelphia Eagles are looking for some upgrades on defense after hiring Vic Fangio as their new defensive coordinator earlier this week. Whether or not Fangio and the Eagles decide to bring in an entirely new defense staff remains to be seen, but for now, they plan to replace their current linebackers coach, E.J. Eliot. […]
The Philadelphia Eagles are looking for some upgrades on defense after hiring Vic Fangio as their new defensive coordinator earlier this week.
Whether or not Fangio and the Eagles decide to bring in an entirely new defense staff remains to be seen, but for now, they plan to replace their current linebackers coach, E.J. Eliot.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Jane Slate, the Eagles have two candidates in mind so far who will interview on Friday: former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell and ex-Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry.
The Eagles' linebackers were noticeably the weakest group among the defense this season under Eliot, though one could blame the lack of talent at the position.
Caldwell Kicked Off Coaching Career in Philly
Caldwell, 52, is very familiar with the Eagles having previously played and coached for them in the past.
He played four seasons at linebacker for the Eagles from 1998 to 2001 where he registered a total 221 tackles, five sacks and three interceptions for the Birds.
Once his NFL career came to an end in 2003, Caldwell returned to Philly as a coach. He started out as a defensive quality control coach in 2008 and worked his way up as the Eagles' linebackers coach where he held the position for two years (2011-12). He then moved on to do the same job with the Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Most notably, Caldwell coached the Bucs linebackers group during their 2020 Super Bowl run when they beat the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9.
In 2022, Caldwell joined his former Eagles teammate Doug Pederson in Jacksonville as the Jaguars' defensive coordinator.
Under Caldwell, the Jags defense finished ranked 17th in scoring and 22nd in total defense this past year.
Caldwell also interviewed for the Eagles DC job and did not get it, though he seems to be a better fit for the Eagles linebackers coach with so much experience already coaching and playing the position.
Barry Has Former Ties to Nick Sirianni
Barry, 53, never played in the NFL like Caldwell, however, he did play linebacker in college at the University of Michigan and USC.
He also comes with a long past of coaching pro linebackers that dates back to 2001 with the Buccaneers.
After the Bucs, Barry had stops at the Lions, Chargers, and Rams as their linebackers coach. He also was Washington's defensive coordinator for two seasons.
It was in 2013 when Barry first crossed paths with Nick Sirianni, who worked as the Chargers' offensive quality control coach before moving up to quarterbacks coach.
More recently, Barry was the Green Packers' defensive coordinator for three seasons.
The Packers' defense finished in the top 10 in 2021 but had regressed over the last two years, finishing back-to-back seasons ranked 17th in total defense.
Barry was let go earlier this week following a divisional-round playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
The Chicago Bears will also interview Barry for a spot on their defense.
Eagles look into adding former nemesis to the team
But it could benefit them.
