Head coach Doug Pederson called into SportsRadio 94WIP Friday morning to detail the process that resulted in the decision to make changes at the offensive coordinator and wide receiver coach positions.
"Ultimately, I have to make the decisions that I feel are in the best interests of the football team," Pederson said.
On Wednesday, Pederson said that offensive coordinator Mike Groh and wide receivers coach Carson Walch would return for the 2020 season. Pederson released a statement 24 hours later reversing course, fueling speculation that it was not the head coach's call.
Pederson debunked that on Friday.
"What I intended to say (on Wednesday) was that I was still in the process of evaluating and evaluating everything and that's really what the week after the season is about," Pederson said.
Pederson explained how Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie and executive vice president/general manager Howie Roseman have conversations, some tough ones, about the coaching staff, but "ultimately, it's my decision through the whole evaluation."
"This is what I appreciate from Mr. Lurie and Howie is that they've given me the opportunity to control my staff," Pederson said. "Do they want to be a part of the process? They do. They want to meet these people. They want to have input. They want to have conversations. Ultimately, I have to feel comfortable because we're the ones that work together and we're with each other the most. Ultimately, it will be my decision."
The collaborative effort between Pederson and Roseman has been a successful one over the past four years. When Lurie extended their contracts before the 2018 season, both of them run together through 2022.
Pederson also clarified the status of defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who interviewed on Wednesday for the head coaching position with the Cleveland Browns. Pederson was vague about Schwartz's footing with the team on Wednesday, but confidently declared that Schwartz would "definitely be my defensive coordinator moving forward" if he doesn't get the job in Cleveland.
"Jim and I have a great working relationship and I was excited to see that he had an opportunity to become, or at least interview, for a head coaching position," Pederson said. "I think what he's done with our defense and, really, the job he's done for the four years has been tremendous."
