Another coach who interviewed for the Eagles’ head coaching job is heading elsewhere.
Arthur Smith, the 38-year-old Titans offensive coordinator, has accepted the Atlanta Falcons offer to become their next head coach.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Philadelphia sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Smith interviewed with the Eagles on Thursday in Palm Beach, Florida, but the next day he has accepted a job offer from another team. This is the second time in two days that has happened to the Eagles.
Late Thursday night, 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh accepted the Jets’ offer the day after interviewing with the Eagles.
While there have been many names linked to the Eagles, Smith was one of just a handful known to have interviewed for the job and the Eagles were reportedly impressed by the Falcons’ new head coach.
Smith had been with the Titans since 2011 but was their offensive coordinator for just two seasons. He took over for Matt LaFleur after LaFleur was hired away to be the Packers’ head coach following the 2018 season.
NFL
Smith actually joined the Titans back in 2011 as a defensive quality control coach but moved to offense the next year and began his ascent. He coached O-line and tight ends before being named the offensive coordinator.
Behind a powerful running attack led by Derrick Henry, the Titans had the No. 2 offense in the NFL in 2020 and were fourth in the league in points scored. But they were knocked out of the playoffs with a 20-13 loss to the Ravens last week.
The real reason the Eagles should have been interested in Smith was his work with quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who has completely revived his NFL career under the tutelage of Smith. Tannehill joined the Titans as a backup in 2019 but became the starter and a Pro Bowler. And he had his best career year in 2020, throwing for over 3,800 yards with 33 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.
So if the Eagles would have hired Smith, the hope was that he would have been able to fix Carson Wentz, who has more talent than Tannehill but went through one of the steepest regressions in NFL history in 2020.
With this hire, there are just four head coaching vacancies remaining: Eagles, Chargers, Lions, Texans.
Subscribe to the Eagle Eye podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Google Play | Spotify | Stitcher | Art19 | Watch on YouTube