Is Chip Kelly Done in Philadelphia?

Nov 22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly prior to action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

After a beyond embarrassing 45-14 loss to the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving rumors of Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly’s departure have grown. Recently defensive coordinator Billy Davis reportedly told NJ.com that he does not believe Kelly will be going anywhere. Meanwhile, it could be just as if not more likely that Davis is on his way out instead or even as well.

After consecutive 10-6 season resulting in one playoff appearance and zero playoff wins it is natural to be frustrated with what Kelly has done. He has sent away a large amount of talent and refused to replace it.

Notably he sent away running back LeSean McCoy to the Buffalo Bills saying that his east/west running style was not good for his offense when as it turns out it is leaps and bounds better than the north/south style of running back DeMarco Murray.

While it is frustrating that he also let Jeremy Maclin leave after a career year, he did make a legitimate offer of approximately 9 million dollars per year which Maclin turned down to join the Kansas City Chiefs.

Even more frustrating are his on field decisions. He continues to run the ball out of the shotgun formation when it has had an extremely low success rate. It is especially baffling when you realize how much better both running backs (Murray and Ryan Mathews) have looked when running out of the pistol.

While it may be too soon to fire Kelly only one year after giving him personnel control he is certainly making his best case. In addition with the USC job available it may be too enticing for Kelly and he might decide to depart on his own.

With that here are four possible replacements should Kelly be on his way out.

1. Josh McDaniels OC, New England Patriots

Josh McDaniels has been rumored to be a candidate for years now but continues to refuse saying he likes his post in New England better. That is easy to understand when the teams calling are the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills but this is Philadelphia.

The Eagles could have a chance to sway the former head coach. While McDaniels did fail in the past as a HC it did take coaches like Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick (both Super Bowl winners) second chances to find success.

2. Adam Gase OC, Chicago Bears

Adam Gase is another candidate who has been rumored for years now, but in the past it was easy to credit his success to working with Peyton Manning. Now, he seems to be the first offensive coordinator to figure out how to make quarterback Jay Cutler look like a pro bowl quarterback. He has earned my respect and the Eagles should give him a call.

Sep 5, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Les Miles holds back his team before kickoff of a game against the McNeese State Cowboys at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

3. Les Miles HC, LSU

After what went wrong with Chip Kelly it is easy to be reluctant to dip back into the college pool for a head coach. However, Miles is a head coach who has been on team radars for years but has refused to leave his post at LSU. Now with him possibly on his way out he could become available. Miles is a much more traditional coach than Kelly and would be able to no doubt make our running game work very nicely.

4. Sean Payton HC, New Orleans Saints

This candidate is definitely a stretch, but it is nice to dream. Payton built the Saints up from shambles and made them into a super bowl winning power house of a team. While unlikely that he leaves after all his success, the recent failures and struggles certainly have made that situation a little bit less clear cut.

If the Eagles could find a way to pull Payton from New Orleans, or even trade for him as has become a possibility in recent years, it could be the match they have been looking for.

Next: Philadelphia Eagles' DC Billy Davis Doesn't Think Chip Kelly is Going Anywhere

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