Eagles Rumors: Rams’ Brandon Staley to Interview for Head Coaching Job

The Philadelphia Eagles have reportedly been granted permission to interview Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley for their vacant head coaching position.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Eagles can interview Staley when the Rams’ season comes to an end. L.A. is set to face the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional Round of the playoffs on Saturday.

The Eagles are looking to replace Doug Pederson, who was fired from his role as head coach on Monday.

Schefter noted that the Houston Texans have also asked permission to interview Staley. The Texans have a strong connection to the Rams DC, as he previously coached at John Carroll University, which is a school Texans general manager Nick Caserio attended.

Staley is in the midst of his first year as the defensive coordinator of the Rams after previously serving as Chicago Bears outside linebackers coach from 2017-18 and Denver Broncos outside linebackers coach last season.

The 38-year-old Staley helped establish the Rams as one of the most dominant defenses in football this season. L.A. ranked first in the NFL in both total defense (281.9 yards per game) and scoring defense (18.5 points per game) during the regular season.

Staley’s defense also shut down the high-powered Seattle Seahawks offense in the Rams’ 30-20 win over Seattle in the NFC Wild Card Round of the playoffs.

In that game, the Rams held the Seahawks to 278 total yards, and quarterback Russell Wilson completed just 11 of his 27 attempts.

The Eagles could benefit from a defensive-minded head coach, as they struggled on that side of the ball this season en route to a 4-11-1 record.

Philly ranked 19th in total defense with 363.1 yards allowed per game and 20th in scoring defense with 26.1 points allowed per game.

The Eagles also lost defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who is taking time away from coaching to contemplate his future.

Staley is a strong candidate but not the only one the Eagles are considering, as they have reportedly interviewed or requested to interview Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, New England Patriots inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo, Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and their own running backs coach and assistant head coach Duce Staley.