Phil Sheridan, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Report: Eagles block Niners from Bob Bicknell

PHILADELPHIA – The Eagles have denied permission for the San Francisco 49ers to interview wide receivers coach Bob Bicknell for their vacant offensive coordinator job, according to the Sacramento Bee.

The Niners’ troubles luring an offensive coach for Jim Tomsula’s staff are an interesting story in the birthplace of the West Coast offense. In Philadelphia, it might be more interesting what the Eagles’ actions say about head coach Chip Kelly.

If Kelly is blocking Bicknell from pursuing a coordinator position, that runs contrary to Kelly’s public statements.

“I'm never going to stand in a coach's way when they have an opportunity to kind of get what they consider a better job,” Kelly said in late December. “It's really their decision, not my decision. I'll weigh in on it if they want me to give advice. … So we'll cross that bridge if it happens, but I would anticipate it. We do have some really good coaches here, so I’m hopefully that we can keep everybody together.”

It is possible Kelly blocked Bicknell at Bicknell’s request. The 49ers' situation is not necessarily as attractive as it once was. The perception that a good head coach, Jim Harbaugh, was forced out or at least allowed to leave to appease the front office could raise red flags for any potential coaches.

Similarly, several teams have denied the Eagles to interview candidates for their vacant personnel position. It is likely those candidates were consulted and told they had no interest in the job.

Kelly has allowed his quarterbacks coaches to interview for offensive coordinator jobs. Bill Lazor left last year to go to the Miami Dolphins. Last week, Bill Musgrave was hired as offensive coordinator of the Oakland Raiders.

Bicknell has coached the Eagles’ wide receivers for the last two seasons. In 2013, DeSean Jackson had the best numbers of his career. Jackson and Bicknell got into a shouting match on the sideline during a game in Minnesota later in the season. Three months later, Kelly released Jackson in a move that surprised players, fans and media.

In 2014, Jeremy Maclin returned from a serious knee injury to post the best numbers of his career. Rookie Jordan Matthews thrived playing the slot. On the other hand, Riley Cooper was rated as one of the worst wide receivers in the NFL in 2014, a year after earning a new contract with his 2013 performance.

The Eagles’ denial of permission also could be related to the timing. It is fairly late in the cycle for the Eagles to find a suitable replacement for Bicknell.

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