While preparing his defense for Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos' offense, Panthers defensive Sean McDermott caught up with Philly.com's Jeff McLane during Super Bowl media night to reflect on the conversation he had with the Eagles during the early stages of their head coaching search.
"We did talk," McDermott told McLane via Philly.com. "We had some preliminary talks. It was clear from the beginning they wanted to go offense."
Reports surfaced in mid-January that Howie Roseman and the Eagles did, at least, call McDermott. But it was considered a courtesy call to the former Eagles assistant coach.
Jeffrey Lurie told the media during his post Chip Kelly-firing press conference that the front office would explore all options at head coach, including defensive-minded coaches.
But it appears that the Eagles had their sights set on hiring an offensive head coach all along. The writing was on the wall as the team interviewed only offensive coaches including former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson, who eventually was selected for the job.
"I really feel good for Doug and the direction [the Eagles are] heading," McDermott said. "Doug's a good person. It's got to be the right fit at the right time. Them looking for an offensive coach, obviously, my defensive background apparently didn't fit."
Many fans and analysts were clamoring for the Eagles to at least give McDermott the chance to have a formal interview. The 41-year-old coordinator interviewed with the Buccaneers and Browns for their head coaching vacancies and while he wasn't hired, he did impress.
For the Eagles' front office to not have legitimately considered McDermott as a viable option is baffling. The man possesses all the qualities that Lurie was looking for in his next head coach, and above all, he knows Philadelphia better than anybody.
In the end, the Eagles' brain trust wanted to stick to what they're comfortable with: offense. They went that route with Andy Reid and Chip Kelly and the result was a lot of success with Reid and a disaster with Kelly. Now it's Pederson's turn to show what he can do.
