Ex-Eagles DC Jonathan Gannon says Philadelphia reporters told him they wanted him fired for lack of blitzing

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By Webdesk


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In Jonathan Gannon’s final game as the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive coordinator, his defense allowed 38 points in a Super Bowl LVII loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Gannon chose to leave Philadelphia and remain in Phoenix to take the job as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.

Gannon has been mostly quiet about his Eagles tenure since arriving in Arizona. but spoke of his two years in Philadelphia as the Cardinals unveiled their new uniform Thursday night.

“I feel very comfortable talking to the media,” said Gannon. “Philly is a very hard media market. We were up 9-0 and I did my presser and they said, ‘Coach, we want you fired.’ And I said, “We’re the No. 1 defense in the NFL right now, in every statistic category. Why do you want me fired?” “You don’t flash enough.”

“I said, ‘Well, we’re leading the league in sacks with over 30 sacks, so if you want to call the defense, you can do that.'”

The Eagles were never 9-0 last season (they were 8-0) because all the questions asked of Gannon at his weekly press conference every Tuesday had nothing to do with his lack of blitzing. Gannon was asked why his blitzing was so effective, but nothing came close to the lack of blitzing.

Gannon was interviewed four times in November by Eagles media during his press conferences. There were no questions about the team’s lack of blitzes.

In Gannon’s defense, his Eagles defense was very good in 2022. The unit had the most sacks and highest pressing in the NFL last season. It allowed the fewest yards per game and had the No. 1 passing defense. Philadelphia had the third-lowest opposing passer score in the league and was fourth in interceptions.

Of course, the Eagles scored 35 points in Super Bowl LVII and lost – the most points by a losing team in a Super Bowl in league history. Gannon also had no answer for Patrick Mahomes or the Chiefs, as Kansas City scored on all four drives in the second half – three touchdowns and the game-winning field goal in the closing seconds.

Hopefully this will be Gannon’s first and only parting shot with Philadelphia.





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