Chip Kelly is staying on as the head coach of the Eagles, but there has been a major organizational shakeup in Philadelphia. Kelly, who had been rumored to be on the verge of leaving after a falling out with general manager Howie Roseman, has been given complete control of the player personnel department, the team announced Friday. Roseman has been promoted to executive vice president of football operations.
Chip Kelly given control over Eagles personnel following rumors he might leave
After a rumored power struggle with the team’s GM, Kelly is staying put in Philly.
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Reports indicated earlier this week that the relationship between Kelly and Roseman had taken a turn for the worse after player personnel executive Tom Gamble, a close friend of Kelly's, was fired. On Friday afternoon, Darren DeGaetano of WIP Philadelphia reported that Kelly had "expressed interest in getting out of his contract."
The new arrangement, which allows Kelly to hire Gamble’s replacement, appears to be a compromise to help appease the coach.
“I have a very good relationship with Chip that continues to grow stronger and stronger,” Eagles CEO Jeffrey Lurie said in a statement. “When we spoke, he was thoughtful, thorough and professional. There were no demands, no threats -- quite the contrary -- he was passionate, engaged and articulated a dynamic and clear vision on how this fully integrated approach will work.”
Kelly has also been given oversight of the medical and equipment staffs, according to ESPN’s Adam Caplan.
Mark Eckel of NJ.com reported on New Year's Eve it was thought by some that the alliance of Kelly and Gamble was attempting to force Roseman out and get Gamble promoted to GM. The firing of Gamble was seen as a major win for Roseman in the power struggle.
Kelly’s discontent with Roseman reportedly centered on the latter’s lack of football experience. Roseman, who never played, coached or scouted, has been criticized as being a salary cap manager. After heaping praise on Gamble during a Monday press conference, Kelly made comments about Roseman’s “outstanding job” of managing the cap, something Roseman took as a backhanded compliment and was “infuriated” by, according to Eckel.
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