Eagles put faith in Duce Staley after Ajayi trade

By: Jesse Larch, Sports Talk Philly editor 

The names and faces have changed, but there has been one constant for the Philadelphia Eagles – Duce Staley.

Staley spent seven years of his 10-year NFL career in midnight green. Now he has spent the past seven years as a member of the Eagles coaching staff, the only coach to remain on the staff from the transitions between Andy Reid, Chip Kelly, and Doug Pederson. 

Staley joined Reid's staff in 2010 as a coaching intern. At the end of his first year with the team Staley was promoted to special teams quality control coach. He held that role until Reid's dismissal in 2013. 

When the Eagles hired Chip Kelly as Reid's successor Staley was promoted to running backs coach. When Kelly was dismissed after two seasons Staley was actually one of the people that the Eagles interviewed to become the team's head coach, largely due to the relationship that he has built and the respect that he has demanded within the locker room.

When the team hired Doug Pederson, Staley remained on the Eagles coaching staff in the same capacity that he served under Kelly.

During his seven year career as a player for the Eagles Staley amassed 4,807 rushing yards, good enough for fifth on the franchise's all-time last. He is ninth in franchise history with 22 rushing touchdowns, which just so happens to be the jersey number that he wore throughout his career. He ranks sixth in franchise history with 7,305 yards from scrimmage.

Staley left the Eagles prior to the team's 2004 Super Bowl appearance to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Staley would win his only Super Bowl in 2005 as a member of the Steelers.

Over the past 20 years, Duce Staley has been a part of the Eagles franchise as a player or coach for 14 of them. He has grown to become one of the most respected figures in the Nova Care Complex, evident by being named the team's offensive MVP three times by his teammates during his playing career and the trust that has been placed in him by the team's coaching staff to teach new addition Jay Ajayi the offense, and more importantly what it means to be a member of this Eagles' team.

The biggest concern with bringing Jay Ajayi to Philadelphia has been rooted in reports that claim Ajayi is a "me-first" player. After butting heads with his previous head coach, and being accused of not putting in the work and missing his assignments on the field. 

When head coach Doug Pederson was asked about Ajayi assimilating to the team and adjusting to the Eagles' running back by committee approach there was one person Pederson singled out. "He's the great equalizier in that room," Pederson said of Staley. “You got to have a guy like Duce who has played the position in that room because that room can be dynamic. Personalities can be kind of all over the place at times. He has the right demeanor to deal with LeGarrette, to deal with Wendell, to deal with all the guys we have. He’s the perfect fit and the perfect coach for handling this situation.”

The respect for Staley extends beyond his colleagues. "It doesn't matter how many pro bowls you've been to…Duce Staley will straighten you out. He's not going to bite his tongue," said Eagles' legend and current color analyst for 94.1 WIP Mike Quick on the Carlin & Reese show. 

While Ajayi may have had issues with his coaching, it appears that he is ready to follow Staley's lead as the Eagles' push for the playoffs. “…for him to be able to be my running backs coach, I’m very excited about that opportunity,” Ajayi said following his first practice with the Eagles. “…when I was starting to even follow football and I can remember the name Duce Staley as a Philadelphia Eagles running back. So for him to be my running backs coach, I’m excited. I know that he will be able to bring the best game out of me and I’m just excited to be here.” Ajayi also mentioned having a level of familiarity with Staley from the Eagles and Dolphins joint practices at the Nova Care Complex prior to their week three preseason game. 

Duce Staley is the longest tenured member of the Eagles coaching staff, and he is the perfect person to teach Ajayi what it means to play running back in Philadelphia.