The Eagles aren’t cleaning house like some other NFL teams this week, but missing the playoffs has apparently cost one member of the front office his job.
Vice President of Player Personnel Tom Gamble is on the way out, the Eagles have announced. Although the team is terming it a mutual decision, Chris Mortensen of ESPN reports that it’s actually a firing.
A year ago, Gamble was viewed as a candidate for multiple general manager openings, but he declined to interview, saying he wanted to stay in Philadelphia. He was also a candidate to become the Jets’ general manager two years ago.
There have also been multiple reports that indicate that Gamble was close to head coach Chip Kelly but less than close to General Manager Howie Roseman. With recent speculation that Kelly and Roseman may not be getting along, it’s not a stretch to think that Gamble losing his job is tantamount to Kelly losing a power play with Roseman. But Roseman put a happy face on the story in a statement released by the team.
“We thank Tom for his service over the past two seasons and wish him and his family the best as they move forward,” said Roseman. “I appreciate all Tom has done for our scouting department and our team.”
Kelly was brought in two years ago and given control over the roster, and when controversial decisions like cutting DeSean Jackson were made, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said he’ll always defer to Kelly’s judgment. But Kelly doesn’t have absolute power in Philadelphia. He apparently didn’t have enough power to save Gamble’s job.