Wanna Be Our OC?

The search to identify the Eagles’ next offensive coordinator has been an exhaustive one, with the organization casting a wide net and opting for a meticulous approach to find its successor to the fired Kevin Patullo.

It’s worth a reminder that the Eagles, much like every NFL team, aren’t beholden to a league-wide timeframe when it comes to filling a vacancy, despite the apparent building angst from pockets of the fanbase. There isn’t a race to find a hasty solution, and honestly, that’s how teams with a specific vision — and heightened expectations — do business.

And while we’re at it, another reminder that’s important to note, which I’ve seen commonly conflated over the past two weeks: An interview doesn’t equal an offer. If a candidate entertains other opportunities after interviewing, it doesn’t mean the individual declined the Eagles’ offer in search of “greener pastures.”

And should a candidate withdraw his name from the vast pool of hopefuls — like Chicago’s Declan Doyle — there’s often logical reasoning behind the decision.

GETTY IMAGES: Packers QBs coach Sean Mannion (right) has reportedly interviewed for the Eagles’ OC job.

In Doyle’s case, the 29-year-old coach is on a head coaching trajectory. Remaining in his current position as Bears’ offensive coordinator ensures another year of continuity, learning under offensive mastermind head coach Ben Johnson and developing third-year quarterback Caleb Williams, while continuing to build on a season that ended with a trip to the divisional round of the NFL playoffs.

Charlie Weis Jr., the newly minted offensive coordinator at LSU, informed the Eagles he’s elected to remain in Baton Rouge as part of Lane Kiffin’s staff, according to a report from The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.

You can cross former Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka off the list, as the former Eagles draftee accepted a position with the Lions in an advanced role as an offensive assistant.

On Tuesday, it was learned that Joe Brady, among the more intriguing candidates, will remain in Buffalo, replacing Sean McDermott as head coach. Shortly thereafter, there was an ESPN report that former Giants head coach Brian Daboll — a contender for the Bills’ head coaching vacancy — will snag the vacant Titans’ offensive coordinator position if he doesn’t land the head coaching gig with the Raiders.

Having chronicled all that, I recognize it probably has the feel of Charlie Kelly attempting to connect the dots to Pepe Silvia in the mailroom – for all you “It’s Always Sunny” fans – but now, for the latest handful of candidates connected to the Eagles’ job:

Frank Smith, Dolphins offensive coordinator

Smith, 44, spent the past four seasons working under Mike McDaniel in Miami, a promising start. He also, in 2021, served as the Chargers’ run game coordinator/offensive line coach. In fact, Smith has a strong track record of working with offensive linemen, adding to the intrigue of potentially intricate run designs. While presiding over the Saints’ offensive line (2010-14), four linemen — guards Jahri Evans, Ben Grubbs and Carl Nicks and tackle Jermon Bushrod — earned Pro Bowl berths.

Jerrod Johnson, Texans QBs coach

Johnson, 37, overlapped with Nick Sirianni in Indianapolis in 2020, with Johnson serving as the team’s offensive quality control coach, a role he held for two seasons before becoming an assistant quarterbacks coach with the Minnesota Vikings.

Johnson was then named quarterbacks coach of the Texans, where he had a prominent hand in developing a then-rookie C.J. Stroud into becoming Rookie of the Year in 2023. Though once seemingly on a fast track to an elevated role, Johnson’s allure has since faded a bit, as Stroud has regressed in each of the past two seasons.

Fun fact: Johnson, a QB at Texas A&M (2006-10), originally signed with the Eagles in 2011 as an undrafted free agent.

Sean Mannion, Packers QBs coach

Mannion, 33, was a QB at Oregon State (2010-14) and was a third-round pick of the Rams in 2015. His final season in the NFL was in 2023, when he ended the year on the Seahawks’ practice squad.

Entered the coaching ranks in 2024 with the Packers as an offensive assistant before being elevated into the role of QBs coach the following season. Mannion played for some acclaimed offensive minds, including Rams head coach Sean McVay and Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, and spent the past two seasons as part of Matt LaFleur’s staff in Green Bay.

— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com