It looks as if the Andy Reid era in Philadelphia is finished.
Reid, who has been the Eagles coach since 1999, will be fired today by team owner Jeffrey Lurie, according to the Associated Press.
“I’ll take the blame for the year,” Reid said after the Eagles’ 42-7 loss to the Giants yesterday at MetLife Stadium. “Things didn’t bounce the way we needed them to bounce. I’ll take that. Our bar was higher than 8-8.”
Lurie, who prior to the season warned Reid and the team that 8-8, the Eagles’ record from 2011, was “unacceptable,” reportedly told the coach that he would be let go following the season finale, regardless of the outcome.
Reid never let on he knew his fate during the post-game press conference. He is expected to meet with Lurie today.
“Whatever [Lurie] chooses, I know it will be the right thing,” Reid said. “Either way, I understand. If I’m here again, I’ll love every minute of it. If I’m not, I’ll understand that too.”
Under Reid the Eagles won six NFC East titles, went to five NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl. Philadelphia compiled a 130-92-1 regular season record under Reid and was 10-9 in the postseason. This year’s 4-12 record was the worst the Eagles had had during Reid’s tenure.
While Reid denied the reports, he did sound like a man on the way out.
“I’ve loved the Philadelphia Eagles, that’s all I have to say,” Reid said. “And I’ve loved every minute that I’ve had the chance to coach them. [I told the team] there will be better days ahead.”
Reid’s quarterback for his final game and signal-caller for the majority of the past three seasons, Michael Vick, voiced his opinion about the man who gave him a second chance at football.
“He’s a great man and I love him to death,” Vick said. “I wish we wouldn’t be having this conversation right now. I wish I could have done more.”
Vick, who joined the Eagles in 2009 after serving time in prison for his role in running an illegal dogfighting ring, has quite an uncertain future with the team as well. The 32-year-old quarterback is due $15.5 million next season, but if the Eagles cut him before Feb. 6, they will save $3 million.
Vick was non-committal when asked whether he wanted to remain in Philadelphia.
“I have to just take some time, think everything that happened this season,” Vick said. “I wish all of the guys the best in that locker room. We’ll have to see what happens.”
After suffering a concussion on Nov. 11, Vick lost his starting job to rookie Nick Foles and was thrust back into the lineup for the season finale after Foles broke his hand in the Eagles’ Week 16 loss to Washington.
After the game, Vick voiced his frustrations with the season and stopped just short of calling out his teammates, but did seem to question their effort, a sign that he may be joining Reid on the unemployment line.
“It’s frustrating, it’s difficult because me, I leave it all out on the field, I give it everything I’ve got,” Vick said. “Sometimes I wish I could play other positions but I can’t. It takes 22 guys to win a football game. Eleven on offense, 11 on defense, no one man can do it on his own. That’s just as candid as I can be.”
While Vick said he could not comment on if he was putting on a display of his services for the 31 other teams, Reid figures to be a sought after commodity.
There are expected to be several head coaching positions available this offseason, including San Diego, which Reid has expressed interest in.