Eagles' potential replacement for Kevin Patullo just fell into their laps
There might not be an assistant coach in the NFL who is under more fire for his performance in 2025 than Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo.
The first-year offensive coordinator has experienced significant growing pains while navigating the job. Patullo has taken heat for his predictable play-calling and for too easily abandoning the running game.
Statistically, this is one of the worst offenses in the NFL. In total offense, they are ranked 29th, averaging 274.5 yards per game. They are also ranked 28th in passing yards per game with 179.2 and 26th in rushing yards per game with 95.3.
This has raised the idea of either moving on from the offensive coordinator just six games into the season or bringing in some outside help. A familiar name could not only help the offense get through the season, he might be the best long-term solution for the future.
Eagles could turn to an old head coach to help get the offense rolling
While speaking with Dan Sileo on his show, former Eagles Super Bowl-winning head coach Doug Pederson was asked if the Eagles had ever inquired about him returning in a consulting role with the team. Pederson chuckled in his response, but provided somewhat of a clear answer.
"I'm shaking my head yes, but actually no. They didn't. I think too because I was a head coach there, I don't know if that's, I don't know."
Pederson was interrupted with the question as to whether he would have considered a consultant position there. The former head coach didn't exactly say no to the idea.
"I probably would have. I probably would have considered that. I think too, though, I don't know what the protocol is for former head coaches going back to their, you know, place where they won a championship, right? Coach there for five years, if that's something that is the right thing to do."
From 2016 to 2020, Pederson had a stellar five-year run as the head coach of the Eagles. He went 42-37-1 in the regular season and 4-2 in the postseason, including beating the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl in 2017. Pederson also coached the Jacksonville Jaguars for three years, leading the franchise to two winning seasons and a 1-1 postseason record.
Patullo clearly could use some help, and while there might be some awkwardness with Pederson having been a head coach before, he can really do a lot for the franchise. He took two struggling franchises and improved their offenses.
Pederson has Carson Wentz playing at an MVP level by his second season, and took a backup quarterback, Nick Foles, and made him a Super Bowl MVP. He also helped Trevor Lawrence get back on track with his career after a rough rookie season in Jacksonville.
A major plus is that Pederson is familiar with Jalen Hurts, having been his head coach when Hurts was a rookie. Pederson can find ways of creatively getting Hurts back on track with his play.
Patullo is proving each week that he was not ready to be the offensive coordinator, and Pederson would be able to step in and help. Maybe Pederson won't be the offensive coordinator right away, but he should be considered for that job in the future. Possibly this season?
Joe Flacco's strong second half in Cincinnati debut gives slumping Bengals reason for hope
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) - Joe Flacco rallied the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half. That was enough to provide some hope for his new teammates.
Just five days after he was acquired in a trade with Cleveland, Flacco passed for 219 yards and two touchdowns in his Cincinnati debut. The Bengals lost 27-18 at Green Bay on Sunday, but they pushed the Packers all the way to the very end.
"He´s just so poised," All-Pro receiver Ja´Marr Chase said of Flacco.
Cincinnati (2-4) has been outscored 140-55 during a four-game losing streak. The slide started a week after Joe Burrow departed a 31-27 victory over Jacksonville on Sept. 14 with a toe injury.
After Jake Browning started at quarterback in the first three games in the current streak, the Bengals acquired the 40-year-old Flacco and a 2026 sixth-round pick from the Browns on Tuesday for a fifth-round selection.
There wasn't a noticeable difference for Cincinnati at first.
Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Flacco (16) passes in the pocket against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
The Bengals trailed 10-0 after getting outgained 240-65 in the first half. It was the fourth straight game in which they failed to score a touchdown before halftime. Flacco was 8 of 15 for 40 yards at the break, and Cincinnati totaled one first down in its first four possessions.
"Usually playing a good football team, playing one good half isn´t going to be good enough," Flacco said. "But we gave ourselves a chance down at the end, and we did some good things but just not enough."
The breakthrough began on the opening possession of the second half.
Flacco orchestrated a 17-play, 78-yard touchdown drive lasting 10 minutes, 14 seconds. Flacco capped the drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Tanner Hudson on fourth-and-goal.
That set the tone for the rest of Flacco's outing.
Flacco went 21 of 30 for 179 yards in the second half. The Bengals scored two touchdowns and a field goal on their first three second-half drives before their final possession ended with a missed field-goal attempt.
The veteran quarterback was at his best in the fourth quarter. With the Bengals trailing 24-10 and facing fourth-and-5, Flacco threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Chase in the right corner of the end zone. He then connected with Chase Brown on a 2-point conversion that made it 24-18 with 4:11 left.
"I certainly thought that he had a lot of confidence and got into a rhythm," Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. "There are times when you get in those games where you are having to throw the ball there at the end to get back in it, it is not all stuff that is on the call sheet. We were having to ad-lib a little bit as you explore how they are playing our guys. You have to adjust as the game goes, and I thought he did an unbelievable job of handling that."
Flacco faced Green Bay again just three weeks after helping the Browns beat the Packers 13-10. He became the eighth quarterback since at least 1950 to start against the same opponent twice in a season while playing for two different teams.
The only quarterback to win both games under those circumstances was Jack Kemp, who led the AFL´s Buffalo Bills and San Diego Chargers past the New York Titans in 1962.
Flacco couldn't quite join Kemp, but he did give the Bengals some reason for optimism as they prepare to host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night.
"At the end of the day, Joe did good with communicating with the receivers and talking to the receivers about what we like, what we see," Chase said.
Flacco is looking forward to playing alongside his new teammates again.
"They talk about learning how to win, good football teams know how to do that," Flacco said. "That´s because they always believe that they can. Listen, I´ve only been here for a week, but I think these guys in the locker room got a good head on their shoulders, and I´m excited to get to work with them."
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Flacco (16) passes against the Green Bay Packers in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Flacco speaks with Green Bay Packers head coach Matt Lafleur after an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Flacco speaks with Green Bay Packers' Jordan Love after an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Flacco speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
