The Philadelphia Daily News is reporting that Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson will be the new head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.
He insisted Wednesday that he is focused on Saturday's playoff game against the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots.
Per Philadelphia Daily news, @Chiefs Offensive Coordinator Doug Pederson will be next Eagles Coach @41ActionNews pic.twitter.com/KfBAdOp0Cd
— Dee Jackson (@deejackson41) January 14, 2016
Pederson interviewed for the Eagles job Sunday. He started nine games at quarterback for them in 1999, and began his NFL coaching career under Andy Reid in 2009 as a quality control coach. He rose to quarterbacks coach before following Reid to Kansas City in 2013 as his offensive coordinator.
"I have a lot of respect for the organization and what they're doing there," said Pederson, who spoke with team owner Jeff Lurie, president Don Smolenski and vice president Howie Roseman.
The Eagles also interviewed former Giants coach Tom Coughlin, Eagles running backs coach Duce Staley and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, and Giants offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo. Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase also interviewed before taking the job in Miami.
"It was a great opportunity to see Howie again, and Mr. Lurie, and have a chance to talk with them," Pederson said. "From what I'm hearing, they've stopped their interviews and it's up to them to get together and make a decision."
Pederson's interview came one day after Kansas City ended a 22-year drought without a playoff win in a 30-0 romp in Houston. But while he no doubt was focused on what could be a career-making chance in Philadelphia, Pederson said it was hard not to let his mind drift to New England.
"We have a big game this week, and you never know what's going to happen in those situations," he said. "But I guess I was also sitting there toward the end of the interview thinking, 'I have the New England Patriots to get ready for.'"
Pederson arrived in Kansas City as the offensive coordinator primarily by title, since Reid prefers to call his own plays. But Reid acknowledged earlier this season that Pederson has started to share more of that burden, helping to prepare him for a head coaching opportunity.
"He's ready to do that," Reid said, "and if he has that opportunity, more power to him."
