Jonathan Gannon Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon says he won't take a head-coaching job

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated 1/31/23

Jonathan Gannon says he isn’t going anywhere, other than Glendale, Ariz., for the Super Bowl of course. Four NFL teams are still looking for a head coach, but the Eagles' defensive coordinator won’t be joining any of them.

Shortly after the NFC Championship Game on Sunday, Breland Moore of Fox 29 asked Gannon about his coaching prospects. He shrugged at the thought of leaving and said, ‘Philly is keeping me.’

Jonathan Gannon to @BrelandFOX29 after the game.

“Philly is keeping me. Good bad or indifferent I’m staying here.” pic.twitter.com/TCaK5bQIGy
— David Grzybowski (@DavidGrzyTV) January 29, 2023

Does Gannon know something we don’t? Do these teams already have someone in mind, or is the second-year coordinator simply trying to avoid distractions in the weeks leading up to Super Bowl LVII?

Maybe he’s loyal to head coach Nick Sirianni, who regularly sings his praises while defending him against the Philadelphia media.

Sirianni should have Gannon’s back. Only the 49ers gave up fewer yards per game this season, and no team was better against the pass. Before Gannon joined the Eagles, Philadelphia gave up 26.2 points per game. Since then, the team has steadily improved, giving up 22.6 points in 2021 and 20.2 points in 2022.

Gannon impressed during interviews last offseason, so his return to Philadelphia is surprising given the team’s success.

Maybe wins against Daniel Jones, Brock Purdy and Josh Johnson didn’t move the needle for NFL executives. Maybe they see the influx of defensive free agents as the real reason for the Eagles’ success.

Either way, Philadelphia will gladly take him back, with another Vince Lombardi Trophy of course.

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