Legendary Philadelphia Eagles coach Jeff Stoutland announces shock exit as Jason Kelce pays emotional tribute
Jeff Stoutland, the legendary Philadelphia Eagles offensive line coach and inspiration behind the ‘tush push’, has announced he is leaving the team after 13 years.
The 63-year-old was the longest-tenured member of Philadelphia’s staff after first joining under Chip Kelly in 2013, before going on to work alongside two more head coaches in Doug Pederson and Nick Sirianni.
Over the course of his iconic tenure, the Eagles made it to three Super Bowls and claimed the first two Lombardi trophies in the franchise’s history.
Stoutland, who coached eight linemen to a combined 26 Pro Bowls and 14 All-Pro selections, has previously been credited by Sirianni as the mastermind behind the infamous tush push, which controversially involves multiple offensive players lining up behind the quarterback to push him over the line of scrimmage.
‘Philadelphia, I’ve decided my time coaching with the Eagles has come to an end,’ he said in a shock post on X Wednesday night. ‘When I arrived here in 2013, I did not know what I was signing up for. I quickly learned what this city demands. But more importantly, what it gives back.
‘The past 13 years have been the great privilege of my coaching career. I didn’t just work here, I became one of you. Stout out’.
Legendary Philadelphia Eagles coach Jeff Stoutland has announced he is leaving the team
Stoutland, who inspired the tush push, has spent 13 years as the Eagles’ offensive line coach
Tributes quickly poured in for Stoutland after the announcement, including from iconic Eagles center Jason Kelce, who made it to seven Pro Bowls and earned six All-Pro selections under his guidance.
‘There is absolutely no one I credit more with the career I had than Jeff Stoutland. The consistent passion and his eagerness to teach pushed my teammates, me, and our room to amazing success,’ Kelce stressed after quoting Stoutland’s post.
‘More importantly, we became incredibly close as people. It was more than just coaching and teaching, it was his presence and sense of urgency that was unaccepting of mediocrity and potential left behind. He will undoubtedly be missed inside the building, and everyone that played for him.
‘I am incredible grateful to have played for Stout, 1 of 1 coach and person. I love you coach.’
The Eagles also wrote in a statement: ‘The Philadelphia Eagles thank Jeff Stoutland for his legendary contributions to the game of football at the college and professional levels.
‘Stout’s influence throughout football is immense, having helped countless players reach their true potential, including many who went on to earn All-Pro honors and some who developed into future Hall of Fame talents. His passion for the development of young players set the bar not only for our organization but for the entire National Football League. It is hard to fathom another coach investing more personally and professionally in their players than Jeff Stoutland.
‘Our organization is deeply grateful for Stout’s contributions to our team over the last 13 seasons. In addition to helping to deliver three Super Bowl trips and two World Championships to the City of Philadelphia, he has been a champion of our community, having given much of his time and effort to the Eagles Autism Foundation and many of our team’s philanthropic initiatives.
He is credited for the infamous play which sees a quarterback pushed over a line of scrimmage
Jason Kelce paid an emotional tribute to the 63-year-old after he announced his departure
‘Although he will not be competing with us on game day, he will always be a beloved member of the Eagles family. His impact on this franchise and our community is immeasurable, and it’s safe to say he will always be welcome in the City of Brotherly Love.’
Stoutland is expected to maintain some involvement with the organization despite bowing out as offensive line coach, although other teams are reportedly interested in hiring him.
New Eagles offensive coordinator Sean Mannion will be bringing in his own staff this offseason after a poor year for the team in 2025, which cost predecessor Kevin Patullo his job.
As well as Kelce, Stoutland also had a huge impact on the career of another future Hall of Famer in Lane Johnson, who received six Pro-Bowl and two All-Pro honors working alongside him in Philly.
Brandon Brooks (three Pro Bowls), Landon Dickerson (three Pro Bowls), Cam Jurgens (two Pro Bowls), Evan Mathis (two Pro Bowls, All-Pro) and Jason Peters (four Pro Bowls, one All-Pro) are among the other significant careers he influenced.
Stoutland famously scouted Jordan Mailata (left) while he was a rugby player before helping turn him into one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL
Stoutland’s offensive line made the tush push an almost unplayable weapon as the Eagles became Super Bowl champions last season, while also allowing running back superstar Saquon Barkley to rush for 2,005 yards.
The veteran coach also picked out offensive tackle Jordan Mailata, an Australian rugby player who had never played football, while the future NFL star was training in Florida.
Mailata has since gone from an International Pathway Program player to one of the league’s top offensive tackles since being scouted by Stoutland.
The latter began his coaching career at Southern Connecticut, his alma mater, in 1984 before other college stints with Miami, where he served as interim head coach in 2010, and Alabama. The Eagles has been his only job in the NFL.
