Dolphins Hire Former Eagles Offensive Coordinator Kevin Patullo as Passing Game Coordinator
In a move that signals a swift transition for both franchises, the Miami Dolphins are reportedly finalizing a deal to hire former Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo as their new passing game coordinator. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo first reported the hiring on Wednesday, confirming that Patullo will join the staff of newly appointed Miami head coach Jeff Hafley and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.
Deep Search Analysis: A Strategic Rehabilitation?
From a personnel standpoint, Patullo’s arrival in Miami represents a strategic gamble by the Dolphins’ front office to separate a coach’s specific skillset from his recent failure in a larger role. While Patullo’s tenure as the Eagles’ offensive coordinator in 2025 was widely regarded as a disappointment, deep analytical metrics suggest his value lies specifically in game-planning and red-zone design rather than play-calling. During his time as Philadelphia’s passing game coordinator (2021–2024), the Eagles boasted a top-tier red-zone efficiency and developed one of the league’s most explosive downfield attacks. Miami appears to be banking on the theory that Patullo is an elite lieutenant who was simply promoted beyond his level of competence in Philadelphia. By pairing him with Bobby Slowik—who will presumably handle the primary play-calling duties—the Dolphins aim to extract Patullo’s proven strength in schematic design without exposing him to the pressure of real-time play selection.
Objections: The Philadelphia Fallout
Critics of the hire will point directly to the disastrous 2025 season in Philadelphia, where Patullo served as the primary offensive coordinator. His tenure was marked by a statistically stagnant offense that regressed significantly from previous years. The criticism in Philadelphia was visceral; the fanbase openly revolted against his “predictable” route concepts, with reports of “Fire Kevin Patullo” signs appearing near the stadium and even incidents of fans egging his New Jersey home. Skeptics argue that adding a coach who presided over such a steep decline—where the Eagles ranked near the bottom of the league in plays per drive and points per drive—could inject instability into a Dolphins offense trying to find its own identity. There is a legitimate concern that the schematic rigidities he was accused of in Philadelphia could bleed into Miami’s game planning.
Background and Context
The move serves as a homecoming for the 44-year-old coach. Patullo is a native of Hillsborough Township, New Jersey, but has deep roots in Florida, having played both quarterback and wide receiver at the University of South Florida (USF) in the early 2000s. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at USF and later at Arizona. His NFL résumé is extensive, spanning 14 seasons with stops at the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, New York Jets, and Indianapolis Colts before his five-year stint in Philadelphia.
Patullo was originally retained by the Eagles immediately following his removal as offensive coordinator, but he was granted permission to seek other opportunities. His departure clears the way for Philadelphia’s new offensive staff, led by incoming coordinator Sean Mannion, to completely overhaul their system. Meanwhile, in Miami, Patullo enters a revamped coaching room looking to stabilize a franchise that has undergone significant changes in the 2026 offseason.
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