PHILADELPHIA — New Eagles offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, 34, used his introductory news conference Thursday to praise quarterback Jalen Hurts and outline offensive changes nearly four months after being hired. Mannion said he expects to install a system more in the Sean McVay/Kyle Shanahan mold, incorporating motion and under-center looks that were not always prominent in the Hurts/Nick Sirianni era.
“Jalen’s been awesome. I really think he can do anything we ask of him,” Mannion said. “He’s accurate. He’s a great athlete. He really attacks the fundamentals. That’s what’s been really fun to watch these last two weeks of Phase 2.” He added that Hurts has sought more work on “fundamentals, timing, understanding the scheme” and described him as “hungry for more.”
Mannion inherits an ultra-talented offense that underperformed in 2024, a slide that contributed to the firing of offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo. Philadelphia entered 2024 with the NFL’s most expensive offensive roster but finished 19th in points per game (22.3), 24th in total offense (311 yards per game), 23rd in passing (194 yards per game) and first in three-and-outs, according to team statistics. The team cited injuries along the offensive front and coaching shortfalls as factors in the downturn, and sources said the offense had grown stale. Sources added that internal frustration at times was directed toward Hurts and that his strong preferences for how the operation should look played a part in the issues.
One team source said Hurts is “as open as he’s ever been to changes,” and early signs point to a positive working relationship. Mannion emphasized the importance of personal connection, saying, “It starts really just connecting with him on a personal level, get to know him… Then once you start to get to know a guy on a personal level, I think the football connection becomes pretty easy.”
A former quarterback at Oregon State, Mannion was a third-round pick of the St. Louis Rams in 2015 and played nine years in the NFL. He began coaching in 2024 as an offensive assistant with the Green Bay Packers and was elevated to quarterbacks coach last season. Mannion will become the sixth playcaller Hurts has worked with since entering the league in 2020.
