As it turns out, Todd Grantham and Dan Quinn were on the short list to become Philly’s next defensive coordinator not because the team planned to fill the position before hiring a coach, but because each was a top choice of the teams’ primary head-coaching candidates.

Quinn was tied to Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. And Grantham is tied to Chip Kelly.

According to CSNPhilly.com, Kelly is attempting to persuade Grantham to become the Eagles’ next defensive coordinator. Currently, Grantham serves as the defensive coordinator at Georgia.

Whoever it is, it’s a critical hire. The Eagles under Andy Reid weren’t the same on defense after the death of Jim Johnson. With Kelly running the offense, they need a great teacher and tactician on the other side of the ball.