Philadelphia Eagles recent hiring adds fuel to their quarterback controversy

Will a new Philadelphia Eagles quarterback coach hiring spark even more controversy? According to Ian Rapoport, the Philadelphia Eagles have hired former Florida Gators offensive coordinator, Brian Johnson, as the team’s new leader in the quarterback room. Johnson coached an NFL draft prospect in Kyle Trask this past year who finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting.

In the past, he was also a quarterback at the University of Utah and led them to a 2008 Sugar Bowl win over the Alabama Crimson Tide. It’s safe to say that he knows a little about how to play the position.

It’s far too early for the Birds to commit to a quarterback for the 2021 season, and a quarterback battle will likely be taking place in training camp. The hiring of Nick Sirianni seemed to indicate that the Eagles believe that Carson Wentz can return to his MVP form. The team explicitly told coaching candidates that they believe Wentz can be ‘salvaged’ and that they want him to be the quarterback moving forward. Philly’s new head coach reportedly reached out to Wentz as well.

Brian Johnson will replace Press Taylor, Philadelphia’s former quarterback coach and passing game coordinator. He’ll be tasked with helping to rebuild Carson Wentz after his disastrous 2020 season. Or is he?

Philadelphia Eagles coach Brian Johnson has a past with Jalen Hurts.

Like any workplace, the NFL is full of connections. And Brian Johnson and Jalen Hurts have a connection that has lasted for 18 years. According to Mike Sielski, Jalen Hurts’ father coached Johnson in high school, and the former Florida coach has been in contact with Hurts since he was four years old.

Johnson even recruited Jalen Hurts to play under him at Mississippi State before a much younger Jalen eventually opted to play for Alabama. While at Mississippi State, Johnson coached Cowboys signal-caller Dak Prescott and helped to elevate his game to the next level, and if we’re being honest, the most viable comparison for Jalen Hurts in the NFL is Prescott.

For a player who has struggled in the face of a QB controversy, Carson Wentz will find his name next to Hurts’ in many headlines this offseason. After the team seemed to be ‘all in’ on Wentz, the hiring of a coach who has had a strong connection with the man we think might be his backup may raise questions from the Wentz camp. Stay tuned. This one is far from its conclusion.