The Eagles have stolen Nick Sirianni from the Indianapolis Colts.
We bet Nick Sirianni thought there was at least an outside chance he’d be working with Carson Wentz in 2021, but until recent weeks, we doubt he envisioned it in this capacity.
Coming off a successful bridge season in Indianapolis with Philip Rivers under center, the Colts were shocked on Wednesday by the gunslinger’s retirement announcement, a few weeks ahead of schedule.
As if that move wasn’t enough to usher in meaningful offensive change, the coaching staff — poised to be pillaged from all sides before next season — lost its leader on that side of the ball on Thursday.
Nick Sirianni, the Colts’ 39-year-old offensive coordinator, accepted the head coaching job in Philadelphia after a multi-day interview. Quarterback uncertainty, meet quarterback uncertainty of an entirely different feather!
Eagles are hiring Colts' OC Nick Sirianni as their head coach, sources tell ESPN. Sirianni spent three seasons as a Chiefs' assistant coach, five seasons with the Chargers, and the past three with the Colts. Now the 39-year-old Sirianni becomes the lead man in Philadelphia.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 21, 2021
The goal in this league is to move onward and upward, of course, and every head coach understands they wouldn’t be where they are without a push in the right direction from a trusted ally.
So, it comes as no surprise to learn that Frank Reich — himself very familiar with the Eagles’ way of life — gave Sirianni a boost en route to joining his new organization.
The Eagles are zeroing in on #Colts OC Nick Sirianni as their new head coach, per me, @MikeGarafolo and @TomPelissero. A young, impressive coach who received a strong recommendation from Frank Reich.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 21, 2021
Sirianni’s three years in Indianapolis featured a wide variety of problems to manage on offense. After all, what other candidate for the Eagles job began with a generational quarterback, only to watch him walk away just before Year 2 began? Then, naturally, Year 3 featured the final season of an aging Hall of Famer.
Just the typical stuff you game plan for!
With so many of Indy’s offensive assistants being eyed for other coaching jobs throughout the league, it’s difficult to predict where the franchise will go for their next leader on Reich’s staff.
Will it be someone hired to groom Jacob Eason? Will another high-profile free agent be enticed by what Rivers was able to do as a plug-and-play option? Or will the Colts be installing an offense for a first-round draft pick?
For the first time since Andrew Luck’s departure, we’re truly treading new waters here.
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