The Detroit Lions will have more competition in their head coaching search as the Philadelphia Eagles have fired Doug Pederson.
After finishing 4-11-1 this season, the Eagles ownership wanted to shed several coaches, including letting defensive coordinator, and former Detroit Lions head coach, Jim Schwartz exit without a new deal.
Pederson, who led the Eagles to a 2017 Super Bowl and has a 46-39-1 record with the Eagles, was reportedly being given time to right the ship. But conflicts with owner Jeffrey Lurie over staff choices forced things to a head.
Pederson was reported to have preferred to promote replacement coaches from within his staff, as well as bringing back Lions defensive coordinator Cory Undlin — who is likely to be let go in Detroit — as defensive coordinator, while Laurie was looking for larger sweeping changes.
On top of promoting Press Taylor to OC, Doug Pederson’s coaching suggestions to #Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie also had Andrew Breiner moving from pass game analyst to QBs coach, promoting Matt Burke from DL coach to DC, or bringing ex-DBs coach Cory Undlin back as DC, per source.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) January 11, 2021
With another head coaching position now available, the Lions will be competing with six other teams — the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, and Houston Texans — for a new coach.