After going 4-11-1 and landing in last place in the NFC East, Doug Pederson has been fired.
NFL BREAKING NEWS:
— MaxCoverage (@MaxCoverageTV) January 11, 2021
The Philadelphia Eagles have just fired HC Doug Pederson after their 4-11-1 season.
Led team to a Super Bowl championship in 2017, went 42-37-1 as Eagles HC.#NFL #Philadelphia #Eagles #DougPederson #Sports #News pic.twitter.com/4q3QtQqUVg
After what was once a promising career starting with a Super Bowl championship and three consecutive playoff appearances, Doug Pederson has now been shown the door.
Speculation has run rampant throughout the season that Pederson was on the hot seat. Yet, Pederson recently came out and said he felt confident that he was going to remain the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Doug Pederson started out successfully in Philadelphia. In his first two years, he had a 20-12 record and a Super Bowl win. The Eagles have slowly gotten worse since the 2017 season. In the last three years, they have gone 22-25. In Pederson’s final season, the Eagles barely escaped with 4 wins.
What happened?
Doug Pederson has not had it easy in Philadelphia. Almost immediately after he received the job, he was called the worst coaching hire of the offseason. He has been forced to coach plenty of practice squad players and has had management breathing down his neck.
After speaking with two people close to former #Eagles coach Doug Pederson, it sounds like this is what it boiled down: Pederson was sick of people telling him what to do.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 11, 2021
Since last offseason, Howie Roseman and Jeffrey Lurie’s say in the coaching decisions of the Philadelphia Eagles has been rumored to be bothering Pederson.
Ian Rapoport just came out with a report that maybe Doug had had enough of the Eagles.
After Pederson pulled starter Jalen Hurts in a three-point game, there have been questions on whether Pederson lost the players as well.
Jalen Hurts after being benched for Nate Sudfeld: "This ain’t right" pic.twitter.com/HH3eTscCMo
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) January 4, 2021
Jalen Hurts was clearly upset on the bench.
Furthermore, Miles Sanders stated on 94WIP Sports Radio, “Man if I’m being honest, nobody liked the decision, nobody.”
Following the game, The Inquirer’s Jeff McLane reported that two unnamed defensive players had to be “held back from approaching” Doug Pederson.
#Eagles players, coaches were shocked by Doug Pederson’s QB switch, resulted in sideline confrontations.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) January 5, 2021
Two players had to be held back from going after the coach. A few more measured ones questioned him.
My story: https://t.co/JAasMUUIei
What’s next?
Pederson has had a successful career in Philadelphia and it sounds like he may find a new job rather quickly:
Former Eagles’ HC Doug Pederson has a strong relationship with Jets’ GM Joe Douglas, which could put one more HC candidate in play for the NYJ.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 11, 2021
Often, teams will fire their coaches the day after the season ends to get a head start on the coaching search. Unfortunately, the Eagles are now a week behind.
It remains to be seen what the Eagles will do, but owner Jeffrey Lurie clearly trusts general manager Howie Roseman and is planning a full restart.
This was not an ending anybody could have foreseen after the incredible 2017 season. However, this will not be the end of Doug Pederson and it will be interesting to see how quickly he finds a new job.
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