Shane Steichen Calls Saints Game His Worst as a Play-Caller

PHILADELPHIA - In many ways, it’s been a dream season for Eagles’ play-caller Shane Steichen.

The explosiveness of the Philadelphia offense and the ascension of quarterback Jalen Hurts from question mark to MVP candidate have turned Steichen into a hot name for the 2023 hiring cycle.

The momentum slowed a little bit last Sunday when the Eagles offense struggled in a 20-10 loss to New Orleans, one that Steichen called his “worst game” as a play-caller.

With backup quarterback Gardner Minshew struggling mightily, Philadelphia went three-and-out on its first four possessions and didn’t record a first down until 12 seconds were left in the first half.

“I didn't get into a rhythm calling the game early,” Steichen said on Thursday. “So, I think the only time we really had some rhythm was the third quarter drive to come out in the third quarter. But we just didn't get a first down.

"Once you get a first down, maybe you can get some momentum, but the three-and-outs killed us. Four in a row there. I haven't been a part of that in a while, so we have to get back on the right track and take care of business.”

By the end of 60 minutes, things improved quite a bit, and Philadelphia managed 313 total yards despite six sacks allowed, six penalties from the offensive line, and a pick-six from Minshew that ended the Eagles’ hopes for a late comeback.

"You keep going three-and-out, you don’t get the tells of the defense," said tight end Dallas Goedert. "We’ve got a lot of mouths to feed in this offense. And if you only get three plays, it’s hard to feed anybody.

"A.J. (Brown) can’t get in a rhythm because he’s not getting any targets. Smitty (DeVonta Smith) is not getting in a rhythm because we’re not moving the ball. Miles isn’t getting in a rhythm. The quarterback’s not getting in a rhythm. The O-line for that matter isn’t in a rhythm."

Much like his boss and mentor, head coach Nick Sirianni, Steichen was quick to jump on his sword and take accountability for the problems.

“You go back and look at the film and really look at yourself, and I just didn't think I did a good enough job putting our guys in position with the calls,” Steichen said. “We got in some second-and-pass situations, got some sacks, and then you get in some third-and-long situations that we weren't able to overcome there in the first half.

“It was tough. I didn't do a good enough job putting our guys in position, bottom line. So, I have to do a better job.”

To many fans, that’s an empty cliche but there’s no value in throwing Minshew to the wolves after the backup failed to notice the savvy Marshon Lattimore cheating to the inside before jumping what A.J. Brown called a love-of-the-game route with just over five minutes left in the game.

A 12-yard return for Lattimore meant the once 13-1 Eagles were officially out of mulligans and needing a win or a Dallas loss in Week 18 to secure the NFC East.

"It was on me," said the OC. "Shouldn't have called the play.”

Hurts has taken positive steps for a potential return Sunday and perhaps the Eagles’ offensive struggles can be traced to his absence.

After all, Philadelphia was 13-1 with Hurts running the show, and the only loss - a Nov. 14 setback to Washington – could be traced to an uncharacteristic four turnovers.

“(Hurts) was good (on Wednesday)," said Steichen. "He was locked in. If he is ready to play, he will play. We’ll go from there, but he looked good."

-John McMullen contributes Eagles coverage for SI.com's Eagles Today and is the NFL Insider for JAKIB Media. You can listen to John, alongside legendary sports-talk host Jody McDonald every morning from 8-10 on ‘Birds 365,” streaming live on YouTube. John is also the host of his own show "Football 24/7 and a daily contributor to ESPN South Jersey. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen