Added question marks for my man Kellyscott.... I know the idea of a coach getting traded may seem far fetched at best. I know and understand that, but at least consider the idea for a moment. First there is a possibility of 10-15 NFL coaching jobs being available by the end of this off season Nearly half of the NFL could be on the hunt for their next coach some time in February so there could be a frenzy of coaching moves being made by several teams over that time period. The Eagles most likely will be one of those teams, but unlike many of those teams the Eagles actually have a commodity of a head coach who is still legally under contract with the team. Certainly Andy Reid may want to have the chance to weigh his options. If that is the case then he might have to step down and forgo any future earnings from the Eagles and next season. Of course he may want to play ball with the Eagles too. After all he and Lurie have a special relationship and they have paid him millions.
Has it been done before?
Yes it has! And you need look no further than the current rumor going around about the next coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. Jon Gruden was actually traded to Tampa bay. "During the 2001-02 offseason, the Oakland Raiders allowed head coach Jon Gruden to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for 1st and 2nd round draft picks in 2002, a 1st round pick in 2003 and a 2nd round pick in 2004, plus cash."
http://www.sbreport.net/the-raiders-research-project/roster-minutiae/raiders-trades
That was a hefty price for a head coach. Fortunately Andy Reid wont cost that much, but he still is a commodity in this league. The right owner could be willing to part with a couple second round picks for exclusive rights to negotiate a new contract with one of the "best coaches in football."
Why would Reid do it?
As I have stated before Reid is a team player and he does have a special relationship with Lurie. Lurie is the guy who gave him his first shot. Lurie has made him a millionaire several times over! Andy (like Gruden) could still have the option of going wherever (San Diego) he wants to go with compensation paid to the Eagles. The Eagles also have connections with other teams now (like Cleveland) who may be willing to part with a pick or two in order to get a legit head coach.
Why would Reid Pass?
Well Reid would pass, because he may want to stick it to Philly. Of course the only way he could do that would be to resign his position. If he were to do that he would have to basically give up coaching for a year, but knowing how much Reid puts into coaching this is probably not an option for him. He would rather be out there coaching instead of watching for a year. Still this is a possibility with all of the drama his family has recently gone through.
Why would the Eagles do it?
Simply put it gives them more picks! This team loves to collect and manipulate the draft with draft picks. A new coach coming into this situation could use as many players as they can get their hands on as the Eagles last three drafts have netted quality (pro bowl) players. An extra draft pick or two for a coach who was basically out of the door is a win for a team desperately starved for talent.
Why would the Eagles pass?
Well the best option I could come up with is the Eagles wouldn't want to be trying to get a new coach while still having Reid on the books. Having to deal with the process of trying to trade Reid for cash and picks while trying to convince another coach to come in here at the same time. It could be challenging to say the least, but this is where the Eagles could also help themselves by being forthcoming with that new head coach and explaining the situation. No coach would understand it better than Jon Gruden I might add and unlike the other Gruden's team is getting the picks instead of giving them up! On a side note Sean Peyton knows a thing or two about strange NFL circumstances too so lets not rule him out just yet either.
My Conclusions.
When it comes down to it most coaching firings are often ugly and bad. Now maybe for the FANS Reid's tenure in Philly is ending bad, but for Lurie Reid's tenure ending in Philly has to be a difficult one. He doesn't want Reid to leave, but at the same time understands this is a business. So does Reid. That's why both of these men will leave this situation with the utmost respect for one another. I heard Jodi McDonald say recently on the radio that Lurie would give Andy Reid a "ringing endorsement" to any owner asking about Reid for the purpose of hiring him. San Diego came close to tampering with Reid last season so much to the point that Lurie had to call their owner to tell them to back off! Let's face it. In a situation where coaches will be a commodity, the Eagles one have the hottest ones available under contract. Now at this point some of you will ask then why not stay with Reid. My response to those people is you are a delusional fool and if you are really asking the question you don't deserve a real answer. I believe the Eagles and Reid (if their relationship is a good as it is claimed and if the Eagles really are the "Gold Standard") can find a happy medium and are MORE THAN CAPABLE OF MAKING THIS HAPPEN! Now the odds of IT HAPPENING are slim, but if there were an owner and a coach who could pull this off in the NFL I would say it has to be this group here.
comment below viewing threshold
show comment