Eagles Hire Chris Cooper as New OL Coach — What to Expect

Replacing a Legend

Jeff Stoutland was the best offensive line coach in football. That's not hyperbole — it's consensus. Under his watch, the Eagles' offensive line went from good to elite, developing draft picks into Pro Bowlers and turning journeymen into starters.

Now he's gone, and the Eagles are turning to Chris Cooper.

Cooper spent the last four years coaching the Vikings' offensive line. Before that, he worked under Chris Forrester in Miami as a quality control coach and assistant. He's 37 years old. He's never had a job this big.

The Resume

Four years as Vikings OL coach (2022-2025). Assistant OL coach in Denver (2019-2021). Quality control and assistant in Miami under Chris Forrester (2016-2018). Former player who played until 2013.

The Minnesota tenure is the most relevant. The Vikings' offensive line was solid in his first two years, though it regressed with the quarterback carousel in 2024. Not a bad body of work, but nothing that screams 'ready to replace Stoutland.'

The Real Concern

Cooper isn't the problem. The problem is the entire offensive staff.

Think about what just happened: the Eagles fired every single offensive coach except Kevin Petullo. The coordinator, the QB coach, the pass game coordinator, the line coach — all gone. They replaced them with young, inexperienced guys who have never worked together.

Cooper is 37. Sean Mannion, the new coordinator, is 33. This is a staff full of unknowns being asked to develop Jalen Hurts into a pocket passer while protecting him with an offensive line that just lost its legendary teacher.

The Bottom Line

Chris Cooper deserves a fair chance. The Forrester connection is legitimate — that's one of the best offensive line coaches in the game. And four years running the Vikings' unit isn't nothing.

But let's not pretend this is anything other than a downgrade. Stoutland was a Hall of Fame-caliber coach. Cooper is a guy making his name. The Eagles are betting that potential will become production.

We've seen that bet before. Sometimes it works. Sometimes you're paying Cam Jurgensen a fortune to struggle at center.