Near the end of the season, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni demotioned defensive coordinator Sean Desai and assigned assistant Matt Patricia the role
With Patricia at the helm of defense, the Eagles struggled and lost all five games. It was difficult, according to Eagles cornerback Darius Slay.
The change was challenging for the players, according to Slay, a defensive captain with the Eagles
Slay told reporters in the Eagles' locker room on Wednesday, "I've never been part of that, a whole new coordinator coming in." I was there. I don't have any say over matters like that, so it's challenging. What
I do is my best effort at my work. Struggling to reconcile two personas. The going gets rough. It's the same as being married twice. In a home, you are aware of how difficult it would likely be to have two marriages?
Two distinct women's personalities? Difficulty level. The ladies will not take offense. That's just plain insane. If someone wants their feet touched, or their shoulder stroked, that's fine. I can't believe it.
Patricia has a lengthy history with Slay from when she played for him in Detroit, and the two had their differences. They may have been able to set their issues aside in Philadelphia, as both have said, but the bigger problem is that Sirianni's defense wasn't improved until he handed it over to Patricia.
Patricia oversaw the Eagles' defense, which allowed 28 points per game and ultimately contributed to the team's demise.