If Eagles fire Nick Sirianni, here are 5 candidates to replace him, including ex-Philly coach

LANDOVER, Md. — Eagles coach Nick Sirianni won’t lose his job during the season, but the Super Bowl-winning head coach is firmly on the hot seat after the Eagles lost 27-10 to the Washington Commanders on Sunday night.After losing six consecutive games, the 2-6 Eagles are now officially one of the NFL’s worst teams. Unless something drastically changes, the Eagles will likely suffer lopsided losses to most of their opponents during the final nine weeks of the season.The Eagles could give Sirianni a pass because he lost starting quarterback Jalen Hurts to a season-ending injury and right tackle Lane Johnson to retirement during the second month of the season. DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, Dallas Goedert, Saquon Barkley, Jonathan Greenard, Landon Dickerson, Jalyx Hunt, Jihaad Campbell and other players have missed games with injuries, too..It’s not been an easy year, but Sirianni has done a poor job covering up the talent issues. His team looks unprepared to play each week and has not been sound in any area. The Eagles struggle with penalties, tackling and communication, among other issues.“Just need to be better everywhere,” Sirianni told reporters on Sunday night. “I know I’ve said this. Until we coach better and until we have better detail as coaches, so our players play with better detail, then we’re going to see the same results.”If these problems continue, the Eagles could consider making a coaching change after the year. If the Eagles move on from Sirianni, they will have an interesting pool of head coaching candidates to pick from.Here are five candidates the Eagles could be interested in if they were to move on from Sirianni:Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen, and offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, right, walk to the sideline during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Seahawks defeated the Jaguars 20-12.Gary McCullough, APJaguars offensive coordinator Grant UdinskiUdinski will be one of the top head coaching candidates during the 2027 interview cycle. He will be a 31-year-old rookie head coach, making him the youngest head coach in the NFL. The Eagles would be taking a big risk hiring the league’s youngest head coach, but the reward could be great. The Rams hired Sean McVay at age 30 — and look at how that turned out. McVay became one of the NFL’s best head coaches early in his career and is now considered one of the best offensive coaches in league history.Udinski could solve the Eagles’ offensive problems unlike any other coach has been able to do. He has learned from Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell and Jaguars head coach Liam Cohen, two of the league’s elite offensive play callers. He could help the Eagles install a better version of the Kyle Shanahan-McVay system. Los Angeles Rams offensive assistant Nate Scheelhaase gives instructions to his players during an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. Kyusung Gong, APRams offensive coordinator Nathan ScheelhaaseThe Eagles interviewed Scheelhaase for their offensive coordinator opening in 2023, but they chose Brian Johnson for that position. Two years later, Scheelhaase was one of the most coveted head coaching candidates during the 2025 interview process. The Ravens, Steelers and Browns all spoke with him for their head coaching openings. Scheelhaase was a finalist for the Browns’ head coach job before it went to Todd Monken. After returning to the Rams this season, he was promoted to offensive coordinator, though he does not call plays.Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) & Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen in-game. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Indianapolis Colts. Kylee Surike | Special to PennLiveKylee SurikeColts head coach Shane SteichenThe Eagles could bring back Steichen, who was their offensive coordinator in 2021 and 2022.Hurts played at an MVP level under Steichen in 2022. Steichen would be a safe hire as the Eagles’ next head coach. Steichen’s familiarity with the organization could help him acclimate quickly, and he could build an offense around Hurts’ strengths. Hurts has not played at an elite level since the 2022 season. Steichen could help get Hurts back on track, or he could develop the Eagles’ next young quarterback if the team moves on from Hurts.Steichen has started his fourth season as the Colts’ head coach with a 2–6 record. The Colts have already fired general manager Chris Ballard, and Steichen could be next. Steichen has never taken the Colts to the playoffs and has failed to develop first-round quarterback Anthony Richardson.Despite those failures, Steichen is well regarded as one of the NFL’s brightest offensive minds. He will likely receive another chance to coach a team.FILE - Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches during warm ups before an NFL preseason football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Aug. 22, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)AP Photo/Bruce KluckhohnVikings defensive coordinator Brian FloresFlores would bring a breath of fresh air to Philadelphia’s defense. Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio had great success during his first two seasons (2024-2025). His defense carried the Eagles to a Super Bowl victory in his first season and helped the team overcome a putrid offense in his second season to make another playoff appearance in 2025. Fangio has run out of answers in his third season, and several of the Eagles’ top defensive players have underperformed. Fangio’s system relies on a four-man front to create pressure. He’s a conservative play caller.Flores has overtaken Fangio as the best defensive coordinator in the NFL. He has turned the Vikings’ defense into a dominant force and is the biggest reason why Minnesota has a 6-1 record.Flores has an aggressive mindset and deploys creative tactics. During the last two weeks, the Vikings blitzed on 89.7% and 85.2% of their opponents’ dropbacks, according to Next Gen Stats. Entering Week 8, the Vikings led the NFL with a 69.9% blitz rate, and no other NFL team came close. That chaos makes Minnesota’s defense special. The Vikings rank second in total defense, second in passing defense, tenth in rushing defense and first in scoring defense.Flores struggled during his three-year tenure (2019–2021) as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, especially with building relationships. But five years later, he deserves another shot to prove that he can lead an organization. The Eagles’ last four head coaches have had offensive backgrounds, and the team would probably hire another offensive-minded head coach after Sirianni leaves. But Flores remains an intriguing option. San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak gestures during practice at NFL football minicamp Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)APMORE BY CAYDEN STEELEEagles could blow up roster after Commanders disaster: 5 players who might be tradedNov. 2, 2026, 7:02 a.m.Eagles could make an OC change after Commanders’ loss: 3 options to replace Sean MannionNov. 2, 2026, 7:02 a.m.49ers offensive coordinator Klay KubiakKlay Kubiak could become a popular candidate in January. He comes from a football family. His brother Klint has done a good job during his first season as the head coach of the Raiders, and his father Gary was a Super Bowl-winning head coach. Klay has spent the last six years coaching in various roles for the 49ers and has helped Shanahan run one of the best offenses in the NFL.Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.