Doug Pederson may have wanted to score a higer draft pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, but he may have lost a lot more than just a Week 17 game with his decisions in the 4th quarter.
On Sunday Night Football, the Eagles head coach decided to go for a 4th down play instead of tying the game near the goal line, then he inexplicably decided to bench Jalen Hurts for the remainder of the game.
According to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, “many Eagles players and coaches were shocked and outraged” with the move. “Hurts was distraught,” while center Jason Kelce was among two offensive players who approached Pederson to ask why he made the move.
Via Bleacher Report:
“Two defensive players had to be held back from approaching Pederson,” McLane wrote.
The report also said members of the Eagles coaching staff speculated Pederson likely made the move as a way of tanking to secure the No. 6 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft with the loss instead of the No. 9 one with a win.
“Some speculated that most wouldn’t have cared had Pederson communicated his plans to the team, or publicly stated his intention to treat the finale like a preseason game and insert Sudfeld at some point,” McLane wrote.
Getting a higher draft pick may have lost Pederson the locker room and that never ends well for any head coach.
