At a Glance
- Brian Daboll will interview for the Eagles’ offensive coordinator vacancy, according to Adam Schefter.
- He coached Jalen Hurts at Alabama and worked with Nick Sirianni on the 2012 Chiefs staff.
- Daboll was fired as Giants head coach in November after posting a .336 winning percentage over three seasons.
- Why it matters: The Eagles need stability at offensive coordinator; Daboll would be Jalen Hurts’ seventh play caller since 2020.
The Eagles have added Brian Daboll to their list of offensive coordinator candidates, bringing a familiar face back into the NFC East fold. Daboll, who spent the past three seasons as head coach of the New York Giants, will interview for the vacancy created when Philadelphia moved on from Kevin Patullo after one season.
Familiar Ties
Daboll’s connection to the Eagles runs deeper than divisional battles. He coached quarterback Jalen Hurts during the 2017 national championship season at Alabama, serving as offensive coordinator under Nick Saban. That year Hurts started every game and the Crimson Tide finished 13-1.
The coach-to-coach link is even more direct. In 2012, Daboll and Nick Sirianni shared a staff under Romeo Crennel with the Kansas City Chiefs. Daboll held the offensive coordinator title while Sirianni coached wide receivers. Their paths now could intersect again more than a decade later.
Interview Circuit
Daboll is not limiting his options to Philadelphia. He has already interviewed for the Tennessee Titans’ head coaching job and the Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive coordinator post, showing demand for his offensive expertise despite his recent head-coaching record.
The Eagles have cast a wide net. Before Daboll, they interviewed:
- Jim Bob Cooter, Colts offensive coordinator
- Zac Robinson, Falcons offensive coordinator
- Mike Kafka, former Giants offensive coordinator and interim head coach
Kafka adds another layer of intrigue. He was Daboll’s play-caller in New York before taking over as interim head coach when ownership fired Daboll mid-season.
Buffalo Success
Daboll’s reputation as an offensive mind stems largely from his four-year run in Buffalo. From 2018 through 2021, he served as the Bills’ offensive coordinator under head coach Sean McDermott. During that stretch:
| Season | Points Scored | NFL Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 350 | 18th |
| 2019 | 314 | 23rd |
| 2020 | 501 | 2nd |
| 2021 | 483 | 3rd |
The 2020 breakout earned Daboll NFL Assistant Coach of the Year honors. Quarterback Josh Allen vaulted from raw project to MVP runner-up behind Aaron Rodgers, throwing 37 touchdowns and completing 69 percent of his passes.
New York Tenure
After the 2021 playoffs, Daboll accepted the Giants’ head-coaching position, replacing Joe Judge. His first season produced immediate returns:
- Record: 9-7-1, the franchise’s first winning season since 2016
- Playoff win: 31-24 over Minnesota in the wild-card round, New York’s first postseason victory since the 2011 Super Bowl season
- Divisional round: lost 38-7 to the eventual NFC champion Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field
The success proved short-lived. The Giants slipped to 6-11 in 2022, 3-14 in 2023, and started 2-8 in 2024 before ownership fired Daboll in November. His final victory as head coach came in October against the Eagles, a 24-22 upset at MetLife Stadium.
Daboll’s career .336 winning percentage (19-35-1) ranks second-lowest among coaches active in 2025, ahead of only former Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, who owns a .294 mark in three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.
Barkley’s Take
During Daboll’s tenure in New York, he coached current Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. In 2022, Barkley rushed for 1,312 yards and made his second Pro Bowl, crediting Daboll for revitalizing his career after injuries.
As Philadelphia prepared for its 2024 Super Bowl run, Barkley told reporters he still speaks with his former coach.
> “I’m thankful for the six years I had in New York. I wouldn’t be the man I am today without it, and I still got great relationships with all those guys,” Barkley said. “I even talked to Daboll today and he wished me luck. So still have a great relationship with those guys.”
Coaching Journey
Daboll, 50, began coaching as a graduate assistant at William & Mary and Michigan State before landing under Bill Belichick in New England. He spent seven seasons with the Patriots in various roles, including wide receivers coach during the franchise’s first three Super Bowl titles.
His path then weaved through multiple franchises:
- 2007: Jets quarterbacks coach under Eric Mangini
- 2009-2010: Browns offensive coordinator under Mangini
- 2011: Dolphins offensive coordinator under Todd Bowles
- 2012: Chiefs offensive coordinator alongside Sirianni
- 2013-2016: Patriots tight ends coach under Belichick
- 2017: Alabama offensive coordinator under Saban
Eagles’ Turnover
Whoever lands the job will inherit an offense that has cycled through play callers. Kevin Patullo lasted one season, and his predecessor, Brian Johnson, also survived only a single year. Since Sirianni took over in 2021, Philadelphia will now employ its fifth offensive coordinator in six seasons.
For quarterback Jalen Hurts, the revolving door spins even faster. Daboll would become his seventh play caller since entering the league as a second-round pick in 2020:
- 2020: Mike Groh (12 games), Marty Mornhinweg (4 games)
- 2021: Shane Steichen
- 2022-2023: Brian Johnson
- 2024: Kevin Patullo
- 2025 TBD: ?
The Eagles hope the next hire brings stability and maximizes Hurts’ dual-threat skill set. Daboll’s track record with Allen in Buffalo suggests he can tailor an offense around a mobile quarterback, while his prior relationship with Hurts at Alabama offers familiarity.
Key Takeaways
- Daboll’s interview adds a high-profile name to the Eagles’ search
- His success with Josh Allen and prior work with Hurts make him an intriguing candidate
- Philadelphia’s frequent coordinator changes underline the urgency to find the right fit
- A reunion with Sirianni, 12 years after their Chiefs days, could determine the Eagles’ 2025 offensive identity
