Eagles fire defensive coordinator Sean Desai, per report. Will coach Nick Siriani return?

It wasn't a surprise that Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Sean Desai was fired, as the NFL Network first reported Sunday night.

The fact that the report said Nick Sirianni did the firing could be a sign that Sirianni is remaining as the Eagles head coach.

That in itself wouldn't be surprising after Sirianni took Philadelphia to the playoffs in each of his three seasons, something no other coach in Eagles history has done.

But there was speculation that Sirianni's job could be in jeopardy after the Eagles finished out the season with 6 losses in 7 games, including a 32-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC wild card round last Monday night.

There's a good chance that Desai won't be the only coach leaving. Desai had already been replaced on Dec. 16 by senior defensive assistant Matt Patricia. Desai kept the title of defensive coordinator, but Patricia called all the defensive plays while Desai was moved up to the press box.

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The Eagles defense didn't improve under Patricia as the Eagles finished 31st in the NFL in pass defense and 30th in points allowed per game.

Sirianni, meanwhile, was expected to meet with Eagles chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie last Friday in order to make sure a finish like this doesn't happen again. That will likely mean changes in Sirianni's staff.

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That could also include offensive coordinator Brian Johnson. After all, Jalen Hurts regressed during the season-ending slide as well. Johnson, who has known Hurts since Hurts was a toddler, had served as the Eagles quarterbacks coach the previous two seasons.

Johnson is also a candidate for some head coach openings. He interviewed with Atlanta last week. Johnson was in his first season as offensive coordinator. He replaced Shane Steichen, who left to become the Indianapolis Colts head coach, following the Eagles' Super Bowl loss last February. Desai had succeeded Jonathan Gannon, who became the Arizona Cardinals head coach after the Super Bowl as well.

But Sirianni appears to be staying. And some veterans expressed surprise that his return was even in question.

"I don't understand that," left tackle Jordan Mailata said. "He's taken us to the playoffs three consecutive  years. He's taken us to the Super Bowl last year. That's got to account for something. He's a hell of a coach.

"I feel stupid saying that, but how did we get there?"

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.