Nick Sirianni said recently he would be open to hiring Frank Reich as a consultant on his Eagles staff, and the second-year Philadelphia HC loudly proclaimed his support for his former boss after beating the Colts in Week 11. The Eagles are adding one of the recently fired Colts staffers, but it is not Reich.
The Eagles hired former Colts offensive coordinator Marcus Brady as a consultant, Stephen Holder and Tim McManus of ESPN.com report. The Colts fired Brady shortly before canning Reich this season. Brady replaced Sirianni as Indianapolis’ OC last year.
Previously working as Indy’s quarterbacks coach during Sirianni’s three-year tenure as OC, Brady is now helping out Philly’s defense. Being experienced in the Eagles’ schemes, Brady is helping out Eagles DC Jonathan Gannon for the time being. Brady, 43, is a former Canadian Football League quarterback who worked on CFL staffs until Reich hired him in 2018.
Brady was in discussions about an Eagles role last week, but the parties preferred to wait until after the Colts matchup to make the hire, per ESPN. The Colts fired Brady less than 1 1/2 seasons into his OC run. Soon after, they axed Reich and replaced him — to the shock of just about everyone — with Jeff Saturday. Assistant quarterbacks coach Parks Frazier is now working as the Colts’ de facto OC, being promoted to play-caller after QBs coach Scott Milanovich turned down the gig.
The Colts employed Brady as a non-play-calling OC, but his Eagles arrival is interesting due to the prospect of the NFC East leaders needing to replace their current play-caller next year. Head coach-needy teams figure to be interested in second-year Eagles OC Shane Steichen. Should Steichen end up leaving, Brady, given his familiarity with Sirianni, figures to land on the radar as a successor option.
Following the Eagles’ 19-17 win over the Colts, Sirianni shouted “That s— was for Frank Reich” from Philly’s sideline. Although Reich is aiming to become a head coach again, it would certainly not surprise if he also joins the Eagles’ staff as a consultant this season.
“I’m emotional because I love Frank Reich. I really do,” Sirianni said. “He’s one of the best damn football coaches I’ve ever been around. I was hoping that he and I would be able to coach against each other this game. He is one of my biggest mentors.”
More must-reads: