New Eagles offensive coordinator Sean Mannion could determine the fate of the team next season, along with the individual success of several players and coaches.
At 33, Mannion has only coached two NFL seasons, both with the Green Bay Packers — serving as an offensive assistant in 2024 and the quarterbacks coach in 2025.
Despite his lack of experience, Mannion is viewed as a rising star who could become one of the NFL’s best offensive coordinators and potentially a future head coach. He could help turn around Philadelphia’s offense that underperformed and struggled in multiple areas this past season.
Here are five Eagles players/coaches who Mannion could have the biggest impact on next year:
A.J. Brown
It’s still unclear whether Brown returns to the Eagles or gets traded to another team, but Mannion could pitch a plan to the star wide receiver that convinces him to stay for another year.
Mannion has learned from Rams head coach Sean McVay and Packers head coach Matt Lafleur, whose offensive systems are friendly to wide receivers.
Those coaches move their playmakers in motion to get favorable looks and exploit weaknesses, while also incorporating various types routes into the game plan to attack every area of the field and keep defenses off balance.
This may excite Brown, who has dominated during his four seasons with the Eagles despite lacking a schematic advantage.
If Mannion tells Brown he will be top priority on offense and will be used more creatively in his scheme, it might be enough to sway him from leaving. But there’s also a chance that Brown is so frustrated with the Eagles that he simply wants a fresh start, no matter what.
For Brown, winning games and racking up stats are not mutually exclusive — he wants to do both. But the latter did not happen this past season, which was especially frustrating for an All-Pro who prides himself on dominating individually and making a huge contribution.
Brown finished the year with 78 catches for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns – strong numbers for most wide receivers, but below his usual standard. He could put up better stats in Mannion’s offense.
DeVonta Smith
Brown is not guaranteed to return, which could open up more opportunities for Smith, one of the most underutilized wide receivers in the league.
Already an elite route runner, he will now be playing for an OC who will emphasize precision and timing, so his production and role could increase significantly. Not everyone believes Smith can be a traditional No. 1 wide receiver due to his size limitations (6-0, 170 pounds), but this system may give him a chance to prove his critics wrong.
With Smith’s route tree set to expand under Mannion, don’t be surprised if he finishes with a career year in 2026.
Saquon Barkley
Barkley struggled more than expected this past season, only rushing for 1,140 yards and seven touchdowns — a steep drop from 2,005 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2024.
He was not the biggest issue with the run game — the offensive line played poorly throughout the season — but he isn’t blameless. Mannion could add more creativity into Philadelphia’s rushing attack, covering up for some of the offensive line issues and making Barkley’s job easier. Like Lafleur did with Green Bay, Mannion could use motions to create a numbers advantage in the run game.
Jalen Hurts
Mannion could get Hurts back on track as a passer after two years of inconsistent play.
He already maximized Green Bay’s quarterback talent during his first season as QBs coach in 2025.
Packers starting quarterback Jordan Love finished with the second-highest QBR (72.7) in the NFL this season, threw 23 touchdowns and cut his interceptions down to
In four appearances, Green Bay backup Malik Willis was nearly perfect, completing 30 of his 35 passes for 422 yards and three touchdowns with zero interceptions. Once a raw passer who was limited by his inconsistencies, he became more refined under Mannion’s coaching. Now, he is expected to earn a starting role in free agency.
Nick Sirianni
At his best, Sirianni is able to pour himself into the entire team as a CEO-head coach, focusing on fundamentals and building the culture. Sirianni struggles when has to be more involved with the offense. Mannion will run his own offense and call the plays — and if he succeeds, Sirianni won’t have to intervene.
