Now that the reign of Chip Kelly is over with the Philadelphia Eagles, Howie Roseman and Jefferey Lurie are doing everything possible to wipe away the glooming legacy that he left on the organization by changing the culture.
Nigel Bradham Arrest Shows Change of Culture with Philadelphia Eagles
Familiarity
When Lurie searched for a head coach candidate for the Eagles, the primary thing he wanted is familiarity with the fanbase and organization. He eventually found this with Doug Pederson. It was a confusing hire for a new head coach. The highest level of experience he has as a head coach is at a high school level. Except, he did work with Andy Reid in Kansas City as a quarterback coach.
Analysts credit him with reviving Alex Smith‘s career after he came over from the San Francisco 49ers. He also played quarterback for the Eagles in the early 2000’s, backing up Donovan McNabb.
Culture
During the “Chip Kelly Era” in Philadelphia, he either traded or released many of the Eagles star players who were deeply rooted in the fanbase. He valued his scheme over talent and didn’t like players who questioned his actions.
Something that Kelly preached was having the best culture in the NFL in which he found players who did not speak out or get into trouble.
There is not a problem with avoiding players with off-the field-issues. Getting rid of players who question authority though, is wrong, which made Kelly appear as a tyrant. This led many to believe that his methods did not translate into the NFL. He lost the locker room, which led firing with 1 week still left in the regular season.
Chip Kelly structured the organization with his culture. Yet it was culture alone which brought his career in Philadelphia crumbling down.
Culture is becoming less important
In a post-Chip Kelly world, Eagles are not afraid to acquire players with off-the-field issues. Look at who they drafted this year with those sorts of issues; Wendell Smallwood and Jalen Mills along with a few others.
Even the veterans are getting into some trouble this summer. An exotic dancer from a nightclub in Philly accused Nelson Agholor of sexual assault. Just yesterday, police arrested new Eagles linebacker Nigel Bradham, who is being charged with the assault of a hotel employee.
Within the Eagles organization, they are actively searching for gritty players, especially on the defense. They are doing everything possible to erase the bad memories of Chip Kelly and restore the fanbase with a familiar team that they can cheer their iconic “Fly Eagles Fly” anthem with. However, they may have gone a little bit too loose on the culture aspect. If things like the Agholor and Bradham situations continue to happen, it may be time to find a happy medium between Kelly’s iron fisted leadership and the laissez-faire style of Pederson.
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