Eagles set to interview Ron Rivera and Mike Caldwell for defensive coordinator job

Just a day after going their separate ways with Sean Desai and Matt Patricia, the Eagles’ hunt for a new defensive coordinator is on.

The Eagles are interviewing former Washington Commanders’ head coach Ron Rivera and ex-Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell for the vacant position, per a report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Rivera, 62, was the linebacker coach under Andy Reid in Philadelphia from 1999-2003, helping to develop Jeremiah Trotter. The last time Rivera was a defensive coordinator, his 2010 Los Angeles Chargers led the league in total defense. That season, his defense allowed the fewest total yards per game in the NFL.

In 13 seasons as a head coach with the Carolina Panthers and Commanders, the two-time Coach of the Year assembled a 102-103-2 record with a Super Bowl appearance in 2015. Rivera said he wanted to continue coaching if the “opportunity is right” following his firing from Washington.

Caldwell, 51, played for the Eagles from 1998-2001 and was a defensive assistant/linebackers coach on Andy Reid’s staff from 2008-2012.

The Jaguars allowed Cloe to 30 points per game down the stretch in 2023, ending 1-5, and his eventual firing by former Eagles Super Bowl head coach Doug Pederson after two seasons as defensive coordinator.

His unit ranked ninth in rushing defense, 26th in passing defense, 25th in sacks, and 11th in takeaways.

Howie Roseman and Nick Sirianni have been reaching out to other available coordinators, including former New York Giants DC Wink Martindale and former Falcons DC Ryan Nielsen, according to The Atheltic’s Dianna Russini.