Well, there will be a lot of time for me to get into some of the Green Bay Packers’ offensive film. But for now, here are some immediate schematic takeaways based on what I’ve read about new Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Sean Mannion. I did scout Green Bay’s offense this year, too, so I already know the offense pretty well. You can read my thoughts on their offense here.
1. This Is Not a Nick Sirianni Puppet Hire
The first thing worth clearing up is the lazy assumption that this is just another internal-style Sirianni continuity hire. I’ve seen too many takes that the offense will look identical next year. I would be stunned if it does. Mannion’s coaching roots and football education come from the Sean McVay, Matt LaFleur, Kyle Shanahan ecosystem, not the Sirianni tree. That matters because it brings in a different offensive language, a different sequencing philosophy, and different structural priorities. If Sirianni wanted a puppet to run his scheme, he wouldn’t look so far away from home.
2. This Signals a Big Potential Schematic Pivot
Everything in Mannion’s background points to a motion-based, structure-driven offense built around disguise and sequencing rather than static alignments and isolation. Expect more condensed formations, more shifts, more pre-snap tells, and more coordinated sequencing between run and pass. This should look meaningfully different from the stagnant, predictable structure the offense drifted into last season. I expect those hitch numbers to come way down…
Green Bay’s system attacks linebackers with crossers, overs, glance routes, and play-action seams. We drifted toward boundary and sideline isolation throws last year. I expect the middle of the field to be a more targeted area. You’ll see concept families instead of isolated calls. The same formation will produce multiple outcomes across a game. That sequencing element, where you show one look early and target defensive adjustment later, is a defining trait of this tree and something Philly badly lacked last season
3. The Run Game and Pass Game Should Be Married
One of the core principles of the McVay/Shanahan coaching tree is that the run game and pass game must look identical before the snap. Mannion comes directly from that philosophy. That means more mirrored concepts, more play-action built directly off core runs, and fewer disconnected calls where the pass game feels detached from the ground attack.
If Mannion installs his offense properly, the run scheme can’t just stay the same while the pass game changes around it as the run game has to structurally support the play-action and movement concepts. That could mean more wide-zone elements (which the Eagles were not good at this year), more under-center timing runs, and more formation-driven run looks rather than purely OL-driven run identity. It will be fascinating to see how the Eagles handle this transition.
4. Expect More Under Center and More Play Action
As I stated above, you should expect a noticeable increase in under-center snaps and a heavier play-action rate. These systems believe under-center action widens throwing windows and stresses linebackers more effectively than shotgun-only structures. Jalen Hurts has historically been efficient off play-action looks, and this approach should create more defined reads and clearer middle-of-field access than the offense provided him last year. When the Eagles did try some under-center play-action stuff this year, I thought Hurts handled it OK. I am sure there will be moments when turnovers increase, but I imagine the Eagles will have to live with this while the offense transitions. There’s no point hiring someone like Mannion if you don’t let him call his stuff.
5. This Structure Should Help Hurts
This style of offense is built to give quarterbacks answers, not just options. Expect more crossers, layered route concepts, and progression-defined throws, rather than pure isolation routes that demand perfect timing and contested wins. These systems often define reads through route spacing and progression layering rather than post-snap coverage solving. That reduces mental load per snap. You’re not asking the quarterback to diagnose everything, but you’re forcing the defense into predictable conflicts and giving the quarterback easier answers. The goal is to reduce the amount of “hero ball” needed and increase the number of rhythm throws. If installed well, Hurts should see more schemed-open targets and fewer snaps where he has to create something from nothing.
I also think hiring a QB coach as OC should help Hurts. Mannion’s rise has come from quarterback room credibility and communication skills. Despite no longer being the QB coach, I imagine he will have a big impact on Hurts.
6. Mobile Quarterback Concepts Should Increase
This coaching tree consistently incorporates movement throws, boot action, half-rolls, and sprint concepts, and we’ve seen it adapt to mobile quarterbacks before. Think about how Green Bay and similar systems created packages for quarterbacks like Malik Willis, where they got him on the move and simplified reads. Hurts’ mobility should be built into the design, not just a fallback when the pocket breaks. Movement throws also cut the field in half by design. Expect more flood concepts, boot-cross combinations, and layered sideline throws.
7. Heavy Personnel and Blocking Will Matter
Despite the “modern offense” label, these systems are not finesse shotgun spread attacks. They often lean into 12 personnel, condensed splits, and physical blocking to create space through structure. Tight ends will be expected to block well and not just release. Formations will often be tight and compressed to force defensive communication errors. That could require a huge overhaul of both the Eagles’ tight end and wide receiver rooms. n this system, perimeter blocking is part of your job and effort is non-negotiable. I expect receiver snap counts to drop if they don’t block. It’s cultural as much as schematic.
8. This Is Still a Major Projection Hire
There’s no way around it; this is a big bet. Mannion has never called plays at the NFL level and has limited coordinator-level operational history. He has never installed his own offense. I am fascinated to see how much input he has on his coaching staff. This is a bet on the individual more than a résumé hire. The Eagles passed on experienced play-callers to take this swing. That raises the ceiling outcome, but it also increases volatility.
9. There Will Be a Learning Curve Across the Offense
Fans should prepare for an adjustment period. New terminology, new footwork, new timing landmarks, new protection communication. This will affect the quarterbacks, linemen, receivers, and backs. Even good systems take time to install and execute cleanly. Early bumps are normal and shouldn’t automatically be read as a failure if the underlying structure looks sound. As fans, we will need to be patient and not expect immediate success. The offensive line adjustment may actually be the biggest early hurdle. Footwork, aiming points, timing of play-action mesh, and protection communication all change in this structure. I’m so interested to see if Jeff Stoutland is kept as offensive line coach (he reportedly won’t return with the run game coordinator title).
10. This Is a Ceiling Swing, Not a Safety Play
This hire is about upside, not stability. It’s a bet that modern structure, a strong coaching lineage, and a young, unproven coach can produce a long-term shift in offensive identity. If this works, the Eagles move into a proven offensive ecosystem that has been successful across multiple franchises. That reduces the impact of future coordinator turnover because the system language survives staff changes. That’s the long-term payoff of this kind of hire. However, if it goes wrong, this team might just go back to the drawing board at Head Coach, and who knows where else.
Thank you for reading! I’d love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to comment below and ask any questions. If you enjoyed this piece, you can find more of my work and podcast here. If you would like to support me further, please check out my Patreon here!
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