The Eagles are wasting no time trying to find a replacement for their open defensive coordinator position. On Monday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that former Commanders head coach Ron Rivera will interview for the job.
It’s no secret that Philadelphia’s defense fell apart as the team’s season tanked after a 10-1 start. The Eagles lost five of their final six games to close the regular season and were then dismantled by the Buccaneers in the NFC wild card round.
During that seven-game stretch, Philadelphia allowed an average of 30.6 points and 389.9 total yards per game. Head coach Nick Sirianni demoted defensive coordinator Sean Desai after the team gave up 42 points to the 49ers in Week 13, but interim defensive play-caller Matt Patricia didn’t have much more success the rest of the way.
Less than a week after Tampa Bay scored 32 points and 426 total yards on the Eagles’ defense to end its season, it was announced that Desai had been fired and Patricia’s contract would not be renewed.
The Eagles’ defense in 2023 never returned to the elite unit it was in 2022 under defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, whose success earned him a head coaching job with the Cardinals. As they look to get back to that level in 2024, DC’s search begins with Rivera, who has had a lot of success in that role in the past.
Eagles to interview Ron Rivera for vacant defensive coordinator position
Rivera was fired by the Commanders this offseason after four seasons as head coach. Washington only made one playoff appearance during his tenure and never finished above .500.
The Commanders’ defense finished last in opponent points and yards per game this season, but the unit had two top-10 finishes in each respective category during Rivera’s tenure.
The Eagles hope Rivera can elevate the Eagles back to an elite level, something he has done at various stages during his career.
Ron Rivera’s history as defensive coordinator
Rivera began in the league as the Bears’ defensive coordinator in 2004. Under his direction, Chicago’s defense finished in the top five in points and yards allowed per game in consecutive seasons in 2005 and 2006, the latter of which led a trip to the Super Bowl.
Rivera accepted a job as the San Diego Chargers’ linebackers coach in 2007, but was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2008. The Chargers’ defensive units were average, at best, during his first two seasons at the helm. In 2010, Rivera’s defense made a breakthrough, finishing first in yards allowed and tenth in points allowed per game.
San Diego missed the playoffs, but Rivera’s work on the defensive side of the ball earned him his first head coaching opportunity with the Panthers in 2011.
In nine seasons as Carolina’s head coach, Rivera’s defenses had two top-five finishes in points allowed per game and five top-10 finishes in yards allowed per game. The Panthers qualified for the playoffs four times in that span with one Super Bowl appearance: a loss to Peyton Manning and the Broncos in 2016 after going 15-1 in the regular season.
The Eagles are looking to return to the big stage after falling short as defending NFC champions in 2023. The front office will interview Rivera in hopes he can get his defense back on track, something he has done with several teams during his training. career.
