The Philadelphia Eagles open their first offseason program under new coach Doug Pederson on Monday. Here’s where things stand with the Eagles, with the NFL draft just a few weeks away:
What the Eagles hope Pederson brings: The most memorable phrase from Eagles owner Jeff Lurie’s explanation for firing Chip Kelly was “emotional intelligence.” Lurie clearly felt Kelly had lost an important connection between the coach’s office and locker room.
That was a connection that Andy Reid nurtured for 14 years in Philadelphia. So it’s no surprise Lurie hired Doug Pederson, who played for Reid in Green Bay and Philadelphia and coached with him in Philadelphia and Kansas City.
As a former NFL quarterback, Pederson understands the dynamics of a football team from both a player and coach perspective. The Eagles obviously hope Pederson can run a productive NFL offense while delegating control of the defense to coordinator Jim Schwartz. But the main reason Kelly is gone and Pederson is here is Lurie wanted a return of the family atmosphere that Reid created.
The biggest question mark about Pederson: Until someone has been a successful NFL head coach, you can’t tell whether they are up to the job. Pederson has been around Reid as a player and an assistant coach. He knows the X’s and O’s and the tone of mutual respect Reid established.
But can he do all those things himself? That part won’t be clear until Pederson gets started. He will get his first opportunity to talk with his new players as a group this week.
Pederson said his message is simple -- that he hopes players will feel free to come to him at any time.
Key additions: The Eagles re-signed quarterback Sam Bradford, and Pederson made it clear Bradford will be the team’s starting quarterback. They also signed free agent Chase Daniel, who backed up Alex Smith for the three years that Pederson spent as Kansas City’s offensive coordinator.
The Eagles’ biggest free agent addition, literally and in terms of his contract, was former Texans guard Brandon Brooks. Brooks will be the starting right guard, plugging a hole Kelly created by releasing veteran Todd Herremans last year.
Late in free agency, the Eagles signed veteran wide receivers Chris Givens and Rueben Randle.
On defense the Eagles signed safety Rodney McLeod. They also added three players -- linebacker Nigel Bradham and cornerbacks Leodis McKelvin and Ron Brooks -- who played for Schwartz in Buffalo.
Key subtractions: With Howie Roseman back in control of personnel decisions, the Eagles were able to trade away several of Kelly’s 2015 acquisitions. Cornerback Byron Maxwell and linebacker Kiko Alonso went to Miami in exchange for a swap of first-round draft picks. The Eagles got the No. 8 overall pick in the deal, while also clearing Maxwell’s six-year, $63 million contract from the books.
Roseman also traded running back DeMarco Murray and his hefty contract to the Tennessee Titans. In free agency the Eagles lost defensive lineman Cedric Thornton to the Cowboys. Thornton was a better fit in the Eagles’ 3-4 scheme than he would have been in Schwartz’s 4-3 defense.
Earlier the Eagles released wide receiver Riley Cooper, who became a starter under Kelly. They plan to develop young wide receivers Jordan Matthews, Nelson Agholor and Josh Huff.