The Eagles are looking for a new offensive coordinator after reports surfaced Monday that Brian Johnson won't be returning after one season in which both the offense and quarterback Jalen Hurts regressed from 2022.

Johnson was in his first season in the role, but he had spent the previous two seasons as the Eagles' quarterback coach. He also had a long history with Hurts, whom he had known since Hurts was a toddler while playing for Hurts' father in high school.

That's why it seemed like a seamless transition when Johnson was promoted to replace Shane Steichen, who left after the Super Bowl last February to become the Indianapolis Colts head coach.

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It didn't work out that way, even though the Eagles still had a top-10 offense. The Eagles went from third in the NFL in scoring in 2022 to seventh. They were eighth in total offense this season and eighth in rushing offense. They were also 16th in passing.

Hurts, meanwhile, went from a passer rating of 101.5 in 2022 to 89.1 this season. He threw a career-high 15 interceptions, the same amount as the previous two seasons combined.

So it's possible that the Eagles could look for a coordinator from outside the organization. The key for the next OC will be maximizing Hurts' talent. After all, he signed a five-year contract extension that is worth up to $255 million.

Here, then, are some candidates to replace Johnson:

Frank Reich, former Carolina Panthers head coach

Sirianni considers Reich a mentor as the two worked together with the Chargers for several years before Reich became the Colts head coach in 2018 and made Sirianni his offensive coordinator. Reich was fired by the Colts midway through the 2022 season. He was then hired as the Panthers head coach this season, but was fired after just 11 games.

Reich , of course, is well known to the Eagles, serving as the offensive coordinator in 2016-17. During that time, Reich tuned Carson Wentz into the likely MVP winner in 2017 before Wentz tore his ACL. Reich then groomed Wentz's replacement, Nick Foles, to lead the Eagles to the franchise's only Super Bowl less than two months later. Foles was named the MVP of the championship game.

Alex Tanney, Eagles quarterbacks coach

If the Eagles decide to promote from within, Tanney could be the guy. He worked with Hurts both in 2023 as the QB coach and in the two years prior as the assistant QB coach. Tanney spent 9 years in the NFL as a backup QB. At 36 years old, Tanney could be someone worthy of taking a chance on.

Eric Bieniemy, Commanders offensive coordinator

Bieniemy has an advantage in that he learned under Andy Reid, and thus would have the Reid seal of approval. Bieniemy was Reid's offensive coordinator during Patrick Mahomes' first five seasons as the starter, and that turned out pretty well. As the Commanders' OC this season, Bieniemy made QB Sam Howell look like Johnny Unitas in the two games against the Eagles. And as a former NFL running back, Bieniemy certainly knows the importance of running the ball.

Tee Martin, Ravens QB coach

If the Eagles are looking at candidates who can maximize Hurts' talent, Martin would be a good place to start. He was the Ravens' QB coach this season, and Lamar Jackson is the favorite to win the MVP award. Martin spent the previous two seasons as the Ravens' WR coach.

Martin was Peyton Manning's replacement at Tennessee and led the Vols to the first-ever BCS championship in 1998. He also has a decade worth of experience as an assistant in the college ranks at USC and Kentucky.

Klint Kubiak, 49ers passing game coordinator

The Eagles saw Kubiak's work up close as 49ers QB Brock Purdy and the passing attack picked apart the Eagles in the 49ers' 42-19 win on Dec. 3. In that game, Purdy threw for 314 yards with 4 TDs.

Kubiak is the son of Gary Kubiak, a long-time NFL offensive coordinator and head coach. Before coming to the 49ers, Kubiak served as the Broncos QB coach and passing game coordinator in 2022. He was also the Vikings' offensive coordinator in 2021 and QB coach the two previous seasons.

Kliff Kingsbury, former Arizona Cardinals head coach

Kingsbury worked with Mahomes in college as Texas Tech's head coach before taking the leap to becoming the Cardinals' head coach in 2019 with Kyler Murray as the No. 1 overall pick that year. But in four seasons under Kingsbury, the Cardinals had just one winning season, going 11-6 in 2021. Kingsbury was fired after a 4-13 record in 2022 and spent this past season as USC's senior offensive analyst and QB coach.

Jim Bob Cooter, Colts offensive coordinator

It seems unlikely that Cooter would leave the Colts for a lateral job other than Sirianni would likely have Cooter call the plays whereas Steichen does that in Indianapolis. Plus, Cooter has ties to the Eagles as a consultant in 2021 before becoming Doug Pederson's passing game coordinator in Jacksonville in 2022. Before that, Cooter was the Jets running backs coach in 2019-20. He was also the Lions' offensive coordinator from 2015-18.

Garrett Riley, Clemson offensive coordinator

Riley, 34, is the younger brother of USC coach Lincoln Riley, someone the Eagles had interviewed for their head coach opening in 2021. Garrett Riley was the TCU offensive coordinator in 2022, helping the Horned Frogs reach the national championship game. He won the Broyles Award that season as the top assistant coach in college football.

He then left for Clemson. While it wasn't a great season for Riley with the Tigers, they did have a new quarterback this season and they improved down the stretch.

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Top Eagles offensive coordinator candidates to replace Brian Johnson