Eagles QB coach Alex Tanney explains how he hopes to elevate his unit

A new chapter in the Nick Sirianni era as Philadelphia Eagles head coach is underway. It’s been quite the story so far. Something tells us there is a chance that there are more surprises in store. How can there not be when there are two new coordinators and new position coaches?

Brian Johnson we know. He joined Nick’s staff as a quarterbacks coach two years ago. He was recently promoted to the offensive coordinator’s chair. Things are a little different with Sean Desai. The 2022-2023 NFL season provides our first opportunity to get to know him better. That brings us to guys like Alex Tanney. He sat with select members of the Philly media this week.

Desai and Johnson impressed during their first press conferences in their new roles. The discussion with Tanney brought positive feedback as well. Who is he? What is he thinking? What are his plans now that he has excepted his new role? We’re glad you asked. Here’s what he had to say on all of those topics and more.

A long and winding road has brought Alex Tanney to his new role with the Eagles, a role he is certain to thrive in while doing.

Football, like anything else, often brings us back to the important relationships we establish. That’s especially true in the NFL. The new Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks coach, Alex Tanney, has seen the game as a player. Now, he’s learning to lead a quarterback room as a coach.

Tanney’s playing career included a stop with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2012. Nick Sirianni was the wide receivers coach for the team at that time. Alex also played for Shane Steichen in Cleveland with the Browns. He has been with Philly’s coaching staff since 2021.

He began his journey in the City of Brotherly Love as an offensive quality control coach before being promoted to assistant quarterbacks coach and offensive assistant last season. Now, he’s the guy in the meeting room with Jalen Hurts, Marcus Mariota, Ian Book, and Tanner McKee. As mentioned, he found his way in front of a microphone this week, and he discussed how establishing all of those relationships will benefit him.

"I was with eight teams in nine years, I think it was 12 head coaches (and) 12 offensive coordinators. (I saw) different perspectives, so many different philosophies. I think seeing things in a different lens (and want to) share that experience that I have with the guys in our room."

Here’s what some of that experience has taught him.

"Playing the quarterback position, you have to know what’s going on everywhere. You have to understand where the point is in protection or in the (running) game, the route concepts (and) the route discipline that Nick’s always talking about, and you have to worry about the things that are on your plate, the footwork, the mechanics, and how you’re reading certain progressions. I just think that there’s so much on your plate (while) playing that position that it gives you a little jumpstart when you get into coaching because you’re somewhat familiar with having to understand all of the things that are going on."

They say ‘Those who can, do, and those who can’t teach’. Philly has seen some pretty good backup quarterbacks and college quarterbacks come through the organization who turned out to be a good head or assistant coaches: Doug Pederson, Frank Reich, Shane Steichen, and Brian Johnson. That Pederson guy even won a Super Bowl with Reich as an assistant.

Something tells us that Alex is going to be fine. Jalen and company are in good hands moving forward. We expect QB1 to take another step forward this season. Keep this in mind. He hasn’t yet reached his ceiling.