In a surprising move, the Philadelphia Eagles have announced that Brian Johnson will not be returning as their offensive coordinator for the 2024 season, as reported by CBS Sports. Despite spending just one season in the role, Johnson had been with the Eagles since 2021, initially serving as the quarterbacks coach before his promotion to offensive coordinator.
The decision comes after Shane Steichen’s departure to become the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, leading to Johnson’s elevation to the OC position. The Eagles now find themselves in the position of searching for new coordinators for the second consecutive offseason.
During Johnson’s tenure as offensive coordinator, the Eagles’ offense showed mixed results. The team ranked seventh in points per game, eighth in yards per game, and 16th in passing yards in the 2023 season. However, these figures represented a decline from the team’s performance in 2022. The Eagles scored 25 points or more in just two of their final six games.
One notable aspect of the regression was the performance of Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. Despite a longstanding relationship between Hurts and Johnson, with the offensive coordinator having known the quarterback since Hurts was four years old, there was a noticeable decline in Hurts’ performance under Johnson’s guidance. The Eagles QB had a connection with Johnson dating back to their time together at Baytown Lee High School in Texas, where Johnson played under Hurts’ father, Averion Hurts.
Brian Johnson began his coaching career at the University of Utah, where he also played as a quarterback. He later served as the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator for the team. Johnson continued his coaching journey with stints as offensive coordinator for the University of Houston and the University of Florida.
Despite the parting of ways with the Eagles, Johnson’s coaching journey may take a new turn. He has interviewed for head coaching positions with both the Tennessee Titans and the Carolina Panthers. However, the Titans recently hired Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan as their head coach, and The Athletic reported that Johnson is no longer a candidate for the Carolina job.
As the Eagles embark on the search for a new offensive coordinator, the team faces the challenge of finding the right candidate to steer the offensive ship in the upcoming season. The offseason adjustments continue for the Eagles, and the hunt for a replacement for Brian Johnson adds another layer to the team’s preparations for the 2024 campaign.
