1 Vikings Coach Could Bolt for Eagles
How’s this for the NFL’s circle of life? New Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Sean Desai was under consideration for the Minnesota Vikings DC job, withdrew his name during the interview process, and now might bring a 2022 Vikings coach to the Eagles — who also interviewed for the Vikings DC position.
That’s Mike Pettine, who joined the Vikings around this time last year and apparently may not return to Minnesota in 2023.
1 Vikings Coach Could Bolt for Eagles
Desai formally accepted the Eagles defensive coordinator gig Tuesday, as the Eagles main social media account tweeted, “We’ve agreed to terms with Sean Desai to become our new Defensive Coordinator. Welcome to Philly!”
Hours later, Pettine is in the mix to join him.
Inside the Birds’ Geoff Mosher tweeted about Pettine and the Eagles, “Name I’m hearing who could potentially join Eagles defense staff: Mike Pettine. Currently Vikings assistant HC. Also has LB coaching experience. Was senior defensive assistant for Bears in ’21, when Sean Desai was their DC.”
Pettine entered the NFL in 2002 as an assistant on the Baltimore Ravens staff (2002-2005) and has worked for the New York Jets (DC, 2009-2012), Buffalo Bills (DC, 2013), Cleveland Browns (HC, 2014-2015), Seattle Seahawks (consultant, 2017), Green Bay Packers (DC, 2018-2020), Chicago Bears (senior assistant, 2021), and of course, Vikings (2022). The 56-year-old was even the Browns head coach from 2014 to 2015.
Here’s Pettine’s defensive resume, as the man in charge, to date:
Mike Pettine Defenses,
via DVOA,
NFL Ranking:
2009, Jets DC = 1st
2010, Jets DC = 6th
2011, Jets DC = 2nd
2012, Jets DC = 10th
2013, Bills DC = 4th
2014, Browns HC = 13th
2015, Browns HC = 30th
2018, Packers DC = 29th
2019, Packers DC = 15th
2020, Packers DC = 17th
With Pettine as defensive coordinator, teams have reached conference championships four times, with the Jets in 2009 and 2010 and the Packers in 2019 and 2020.
The only job left to fill on Desai’s staff would be linebackers coach, as mentioned by Mosher, so Pettine might just grab that gig for 2023.
Philadelphia will experience noteworthy change in 2023, as offensive coordinator Shane Steichen trekked to Indianapolis as the Colts new head coach, and defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon — who also worked for the Vikings, during the Mike Zimmer era — landed the Arizona Cardinals head coaching gig. And on Tuesday, the Eagles hired Brian Johnson to lead the offense and the aforementioned Desai for defense.
If Pettine lands the linebackers coach position, he’ll navigate a potentially new group of Eagles LBs. Starting off-ball linebackers T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White are free agents and can sign anywhere in the league two weeks from now.
The Eagles showcased the NFL’s sixth-best defense in 2022 per DVOA.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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