Reports: Eagles fire defensive coordinator Sean Desai

Field Level Media|published: 01/21/2024, 9:11pm EST

September 18, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks associate head coach - defense Sean Desai before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. credits: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

After relieving defensive coordinator Sean Desai of his play-calling duties last month, the Philadelphia Eagles fired him, per multiple reports Sunday.

Desai, 40, was demoted by head coach Nick Siriani after lopsided defeats to the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys in December, with Matt Patricia taking over. The switch to Patricia didn't help as the defense continued to struggle, particularly in the Eagles' 32-9 wild-card loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Jan. 15.

Desai, who took over in February when Jonathan Gannon left to become the Arizona Cardinals' head coach, oversaw a defensive unit that allowed 35 passing touchdowns (second in the NFL) and ranked 30th in red zone and third-down defense in 2023.

Desai came to Philadelphia after one season with the Seattle Seahawks as an associate head coach and defensive assistant.

Desai was on the Bears' coaching staff from 2013-21, rising to the position of defensive coordinator in 2021. He was fired after that season when the Bears parted ways with head coach Matt Nagy.

—Field Level Media