The Eagles Have Fired Doug Pederson

The Philadelphia Eagles fired head coach Doug Pederson on Monday afternoon. Over the weekend, multiple sources reported that Pederson would have yet another meeting with owner Jeffrey Lurie to discuss the future of the team. It was detailed that if Lurie didn’t like the plan Pederson had for the future of the team, he would be out.

 

He wasn’t bluffing.

 

Obviously, this move signals that the Birds will be heading in a new direction. However, this decision will ultimately mean nothing if general manager Howie Roseman isn’t given a pink slip too, but that’s a discussion for another time.

 

 

Why Was Doug Fired?

 

Outside of the aforementioned meeting between Lurie and Pederson, there were plenty of other reasons for why Dougie P was shown the door.

 

First and likely foremost, his relationship with the supposed franchise quarterback was, “fractured beyond repair,” according to the national media. Throughout the season, Pederson did nothing to help a struggling Carson Wentz. Pederson did not game plan according to Wentz’s strengths, most notably refusing to have Wentz throw on the run. Pederson’s refusal to roll Wentz out of the pocket infuriated fans and media members alike.

 

Rather, he called plays that fit his own agenda. It’s the classic stubborn, hard-headed coach mentality: we are going to do things my way, run the plays that I like to run, and if all else fails I’m going to go down with the ship. And go down with the ship he did.

 

This mentality goes hand-in-hand with the complaints about Pederson’s poor play-calling and decision making. A gripe that I have held for the entire year was his outright refusal to incorporate a top ten rushing attack into a struggling offense. Miles Sanders was 7th in the league in yards per carry this season, yet never once topped 20 carries in a game.

 

Also, the lack of opportunities given to young guys such as Travis Fulgham, Jalen Reagor, and even John Hightower were infuriating and confusing. Fulgham famously led the entire league in receiving yards from weeks four through seven, yet saw his playing time completely diminish after that stretch.

 

Despite having just nine catches and 104 yards over the final eight games of the season, Fulgham STILL somehow managed to lead the Eagles in receiving yards. No matter which way you slice it, that is a problem.

 

There is also the issue that arose in the final game of the season. Pederson received public backlash for pulling Jalen Hurts in the fourth quarter of a three-point game to put in Nate Sudfeld. The move was questioned by not just fans and media, but by Eagles players as well. Those players included team leader Jason Kelce and other anonymous defensive players that reportedly had to be “held back” from Pederson.

 

Finally, a report from NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport that was coupled with the news of Pederson’s firing suggested that Doug was, “sick of people telling him what to do.” This is odd, considering he’s the head coach, not the general manager, the owner, or a dictator.

 

 

Ultimately, It Was Time

 

 

Considering all of the factors listed above, it was best for Pederson and the Eagles to go in separate directions. Despite the sour ending, nobody in this fan base will ever forget Doug Pederson and everything he did for the Eagles organization.

 

He brought the Eagles to three straight playoff appearances. He guided the Birds through their greatest season in franchise history. He was the head coach that held up the Eagles first, and only, Super Bowl trophy. That will never be forgotten. His statue, shared with Nick Foles, will sit outside of the Linc forever, and rightfully so.

 

That Super Bowl season, which feels like a lifetime ago, was less than just three calendar years ago. How things between Pederson and the organization got so bad so quickly is baffling.

 

Yet, as hard as it is to make sense of this whole situation when looking back at everything that has unfolded, I’m still not completely surprised.

 

After all, if any team in the league could run their once beloved head coach out of town less than three years after hoisting a Lombardi Trophy, it would be the Philadelphia Eagles. Remember when Pederson said, “This is the new norm,” at the Super Bowl parade? Good times.

 

By Matt Szczypiorski | January 11, 2021
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