The energy in Philadelphia right now is... weird. You’ve got a city that usually treats a playoff exit like a personal insult, but this time it feels less like a tantrum and more like a messy breakup that everyone saw coming. After a 23-19 heartbreaker against the San Francisco 49ers in the Wild Card round on January 11, the front office didn't wait around for the dust to settle. By Tuesday, the Philadelphia Eagles latest news wasn't about the "what ifs" of the game, but rather the pink slip handed to Offensive Coordinator Kevin Patullo.
He's gone. Well, mostly. Nick Sirianni officially announced the change on January 13, 2026, marking the fifth time in six seasons that this team will have a different voice calling the shots for Jalen Hurts.
The Patullo Exit and the Search for a Spark
People keep asking if Patullo was the scapegoat. Honestly, it’s complicated. The Eagles finished the 2025 season with an 11-6 record, which sounds great on paper until you look at the offensive regression. They averaged 22.3 points per game—the lowest of the Sirianni era. That’s staggering when you realize this roster is essentially a Pro Bowl lineup.
The news broke fast. Sirianni released a statement saying he met with Kevin and decided a change was necessary to get the "highest-paid offensive unit in the league back on track."
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But here is the twist: Mike Garafolo reported that Patullo wasn't technically "fired" in the traditional, pack-your-desk-and-never-return sense. There’s a chance he stays on the staff in a different role. It’s a classic Philly move—keeping the family together while desperately trying to find someone who actually knows how to use a bunch formation.
Who is on the Shortlist?
The rumor mill is already churning out names like Todd Monken. The former Ravens OC is the name you’ll hear most because of what he did with Lamar Jackson. Monken’s scheme is all about explosive plays and 12-personnel, which would be a massive departure from the stagnant two-by-two sets the Eagles ran into the ground this year.
Other names floating around include Brian Daboll, though that comes with enough baggage to fill a 747. The fan base is divided, but the consensus is clear: the offense became predictable. When the 49ers defense shut the Eagles out in the second half of that playoff game, it wasn't just about talent. It was about being out-schemed.
The A.J. Brown Dilemma
You can’t talk about the Philadelphia Eagles latest news without addressing the elephant in the room—or rather, the star wide receiver who might be out the door. A.J. Brown had a rough end to the year.
While he hit 1,003 yards for the season, his efficiency tanked. We’re talking 12.9 yards per catch, a career low. Then came the Wild Card game. Brown had a "disappearing act" (as the local media is calling it) and a crucial drop late in the fourth quarter that basically sealed the loss.
- Contract Reality: Brown has $113 million in cash remaining on his deal.
- Cap Hits: If they trade him after June 1, they save $7 million this year but take massive dead money hits in 2026 and 2027.
- The Alternative: DeVonta Smith.
Smith was the one who actually showed up against San Francisco, hauling in 8 catches for 70 yards while Brown struggled to find any rhythm. There is a growing sentiment in the NovaCare Complex that DeVonta is the true WR1 now. If the Eagles feel the relationship between Brown and Jalen Hurts is "past the point of no return," as some insiders suggest, a trade might actually happen this spring.
Saquon Barkley’s Legacy and the Lane Johnson Factor
Saquon Barkley is still the engine. He finished 2025 with 1,140 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Not quite the 2,000-yard Herculean effort he put up in 2024, but he was 10th in the league despite the offensive line being held together by duct tape and prayers for the last two months.
The big reason for the dip? Lane Johnson.
The All-Pro right tackle missed the final eight games of the season, including the playoffs, with a persistent foot injury. It changed everything. Without Lane, the Eagles were forced to start Fred Johnson, who was admirable but simply isn't a future Hall of Famer. The rushing average dropped from nearly 5 yards a carry to a pedestrian 4.1.
Lane tried to go. He practiced in a limited capacity leading up to the 49ers game and was listed as questionable, but the team ultimately made him inactive. It was the right call for his long-term health, but it left Jalen Hurts running for his life against a San Francisco front that smelled blood.
Cleaning Out the Lockers: Futures Deals
While the coaching search dominates the headlines, the front office is already tinkering with the bottom of the roster. They’ve signed several players to "future" contracts, essentially betting on them for the 2026 training camp.
- Carson Steele (RB): The former Chief with the long blonde hair. He’ll compete with Will Shipley and Tank Bigsby for the backup spots behind Saquon.
- John Ojukwu (OT): A developmental tackle from the Titans. With Lane Johnson’s age and injury history, the Eagles are desperate for tackle depth.
- E.J. Jenkins (TE): He’s been in and out of the building for years. He provides some continuity for the scout team.
It’s not the "sexy" news, but these are the moves that define the special teams units in November.
What Really Happened in the Wild Card Round?
The 49ers won 23-19, but that doesn't tell the whole story. The Eagles defense actually played out of their minds for most of the night. Jalen Carter and Nakobe Dean (who returned from a hamstring injury just in time) were flying around. They forced Brock Purdy into some uncomfortable throws.
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But the second half was a disaster for the offense. Zero points.
LeSean McCoy went on record recently saying he’s heard whispers that the offense is limited because Hurts isn't comfortable with "motion-heavy schemes." Whether that's true or just Shady being Shady, it’s a narrative that won't die until the Eagles hire an OC who proves otherwise.
The final play of the game—a fourth-down pass from Hurts that was batted down by Eric Kendricks—was a microcosm of the season. A little too late, a little too predictable.
The Path Forward for the Birds
So, where does this leave us? The Eagles have about $22 million in projected cap space. That isn't much when you have holes at cornerback and defensive end, and a potential massive dead money hit if you move on from A.J. Brown.
The first step is the OC hire. They need a scheme that doesn't rely solely on Hurts making a miraculous play or Saquon breaking three tackles in the backfield. They need "easy" yards.
Next, keep an eye on the draft. If Lane Johnson’s foot injury is as serious as it looks, the Eagles might have to use their first-round pick on a tackle for the first time in years. They can't afford to have their $250 million quarterback getting hit as much as he did in December.
Lastly, the A.J. Brown situation needs a resolution before training camp. A distracted Brown is a dangerous thing for a locker room that is already trying to find its identity after a disappointing finish.
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The off-season is long, but in Philly, the drama never actually sleeps.
To stay ahead of the curve, watch the coaching interviews over the next ten days. The identity of the 2026 Eagles will be formed by whoever Nick Sirianni chooses to sit in that meeting room next to him. Look for an external hire with "play-calling experience" to be the top priority.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Track the OC Interview List: Keep tabs on names like Todd Monken or Kliff Kingsbury, as the Eagles are looking for someone with a proven track record of adapting to mobile quarterbacks.
- Monitor the Post-June 1 Designations: If the Eagles decide to move A.J. Brown, the timing of the announcement will tell you everything about their 2026 cap strategy.
- Watch Lane Johnson’s Recovery: His status will dictate whether the Eagles prioritize an offensive lineman in the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft.