Eagles hire a TE coach who was with – surprise – the Colts

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New Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni has snagged another former Frank Reich assistant for his staff, adding Jason Michael as tight ends coach according to a report by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

Michael, at 42, becomes the oldest new member of Sirianni’s offensive coaching staff so far.

Michael spent the last two years as the Colts’ tight ends coach. Justin Peelle, who coached tight ends under both Chip Kelly and Doug Pederson, left last week to join Arthur Smith’s Falcons staff.

Michael is the third former Colts assistant to join Sirianni’s staff. Defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon was the Colts’ secondary coach, and passing game coordinator Kevin Patullo was receivers coach and pass game specialist under Reich. Another Sirianni hire, offensive coordinator Shane Steichen, was with Sirianni and Michael with the Chargers.

The Eagles' tight end position could have a new look in 2021 with three-time Pro Bowler Zach Ertz a likely salary cap casualty. Richard Rodgers, who played well when Ertz was hurt, is an unrestricted free agent.

The only tight ends under contract for 2021 are Goedert and Caleb Wilson.

Michael played quarterback for Jack Harbaugh at Western Kentucky and led the Hilltoppers to the 2002 NCAA Division 1-AA national championship.

He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Tennessee in 2003 under Phillip Fulmer and got his first NFL job as a quality control assistant under Norv Turner with the Raiders in 2005.

He first became a position coach under Eric Mangini with the Jets in 2006, first coaching quarterbacks and then tight ends in 2007.

Michael went back to Tennessee for a year in 2008 and then was hired by 49ers coach Mike Singletary in 2009 as an offensive assistant on a staff that also included Johnny Lynn.

He was reunited with Turner with the Chargers in 2011 on a staff that also included Steichen and in 2014 was named offensive coordinator of the Titans under Ken Whisenhunt. The Titans ranked 28th and 30th in his two years under Whisenhunt, who was fired seven games into the 2015 season.

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