Eagles 'Officially' Hire Matt Patricia; Awkward Reunion with Darius Slay?
The Philadelphia Eagles are the subject of some odd confusion on Thursday afternoon.
The team announced the newest set of coaching updates to Nick Sirianni's staff, as some smaller, role-specific hires were made official for seven assistants.
But around this same time, ESPN's Eagles reporter Tim McManus reported that according to the team website, former New England Patriots defensive coordinator and Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia had been named the team's senior defensive assistant.
However, this note was quickly taken off the site. What's going on?
The press conference for Sirianni and general manager Howie Roseman that was set to begin at 2:15 E.T. was (maybe not coincidentally) delayed a bit. But Sirianni cleared the air quickly, admitting that the rumors are true.
"I know that there was a report out there, and we're trending in that direction," he said. "It's nothing final yet, and we're trending in that direction."
But later, while the presser matched on, more clarity that the move is now "official."
With Patricia set to join the Eagles, things could potentially get awkward in defensive meetings. Patricia coached the Lions from 2018-2020, and had current Eagles star cornerback Darius Slay as one of his top defenders.
But Slay admitted he felt disrespected by Patricia during his time in Detroit, who told the five-time Pro Bowler a few years back that he's not at the level of other corners in the league.
"He basically just said, 'You are not in that category yet,'" Slay said ahead of Super Bowl LVII. "At that time, I only had one Pro Bowl but now I’m at five, so I want to know how he feels about that now. I don’t wish bad on him, but as a man, me and him just don’t get along. He’s a smart coach, he knows his Xs and Os, but the disrespect is not what I’m with."
Patricia was not a success in Detroit. He was part of the offensive embarrassment last year in New England. Now he’ll serve as an “advisor” of sorts to the head coach.
Meanwhile, Slay’s comments are certainly magnified after Thursday's news. But Sirianni said that he talked with Slay about the potential hire. The past seems to be in the past. And even if it's not, Slay may have no choice but to forgive and forget.
"You talk to guys and make sure everyone's comfortable with it," Sirianni said. "I had conversations with Slay, I had conversations with coach Patricia. I know it'll be a good-working relationship for us when that happens."
And now, “officially,” it’s happening.
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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