Getty

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – AUGUST 22: Head coach Nick Sirianni of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on before the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on August 22, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The Philadelphia Eagles’ decision to hire Sean Mannion as offensive coordinator raised eyebrows across the fan base almost instantly.

But behind the scenes, at least one NFL insider believes Philadelphia got this hire right. 

NBC Sports’ Reuben Frank believes Mannion’s quarterback-first approach and exposure to elite offensive systems make him far more prepared than his résumé might suggest.

Frank thinks the concerns surrounding Mannion’s lack of experience are being overblown.

A league source confirmed Mannion will call plays, placing immediate responsibility on one of the youngest coordinators in the NFL. 

At first glance, the hire feels risky to many. 

Mannion is just 33 years old and only two seasons removed from his playing career. 

But a deeper look at the decision reveals why the Eagles believe the upside is worth the gamble.

Eagles Belief in Mannion’s Upside

Mannion arrives in Philadelphia after serving as the Green Bay Packers’ quarterbacks coach in 2025, where he worked closely with Jordan Love.

Under Mannion’s guidance, Love completed 66.3 percent of his passes for 3,381 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just six interceptions in 15 games.

That quarterback-centric background is a major reason the Eagles leaned his direction.

Nick Sirianni emphasized that point when announcing the hire.

“It was quickly apparent in meeting with Sean that he is a bright young coach with a tremendous future ahead of him in this league,” Nick Sirianni said.

“I was impressed by his systematic views on offensive football and his strategic approach.” 

Frank pointed to Mannion’s nine-year NFL playing career and early coaching stops where he worked alongside a long list of respected offensive minds. 

The list includes Sean McVay, Matt LaFleur, Zac Taylor, Kevin O’Connell, and Kevin Stefanski.

Frank noted that Mannion’s energy and creativity stand out after a stagnant 2025 offense.

“This is a guy who will bring energy and creativity, two things this offense was desperately missing,” Frank wrote. 

He added that the hire felt driven by the front office rather than familiarity.

A Big Responsibility With Jalen Hurts

Mannion now steps into a challenging situation. 

The Eagles finished 19th in EPA per drive and 21st in offensive points per game in 2025, despite having the league’s most expensive offense by cash spending. 

He’ll also become Jalen Hurts’ seventh play caller in seven seasons.

This is a stat that underscores both the instability Mannion inherits and the importance of getting this hire right.

There’s no denying the risk in this hire as Mannion has never called plays at the NFL level. 

But the Eagles aren’t pretending this is a safe move.  

They’re chasing upside, believing that a young coach with deep quarterback experience can unlock more consistency and imagination from an offense that too often felt bland and repetitive.

It’s a big swing that has faced some criticism so far, but one the Eagles believe could reshape their offense for years to come.

More Heavy on Eagles

Loading more stories