Matt Patricia, long a staple on the sideline in New England as Bill Belichick’s defensive coordinator before failed stints as head coach of the Detroit Lions and a bizarre Patriots return running the offense, is poised to be back on the sidelines, this time with the Philadelphia Eagles.
According to multiple reports, Patricia is set to have an added presence on the Eagles’ defensive coaching staff when they face the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night, as he’s going to call defensive plays into the green dot player, while defensive coordinator Sean Desai will head to the coaching booth upstairs.
Desai called plays from the booth as defensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears two years ago.
The moves are part of an effort to get the Eagles’ defense back on track.
Philadelphia has lost two straight games to fall into a first-place tie with the surging Dallas Cowboys atop the NFC East.
The Eagles have allowed 33 points in each of their last three games and will turn to Patricia, who was hired by Philadelphia after spending last season as the Patriots’ offensive coordinator.
Patricia has consulted with all three phases of Philadelphia’s coaching staff this season, but will now focus more on defense.
Since Week 8, the Eagles have been especially porous on defense, allowing a league-worst 428.2 yards per game, as well as 30 points per game. Only Washington has been worse in that stretch.
The switch comes in time for a key matchup in Seattle against the Seahawks before the Eagles finish the season with two games against the Giants, as well as a meeting with the Arizona Cardinals.
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