Another departure from the Eagles coaching staff, and this particular one comes as somewhat unexpected.
In a somewhat unexpected move, Roy Istvan, longtime assistant to Jeff Stoutland, has departed from the Eagles to assume the same role within Kevin Stefanski’s coaching staff with the Browns.
The Browns officially announced Istvan’s hiring as assistant offensive line coach under Andy Dickerson, the new offensive line coach replacing Bill Callahan. Istvan, who served as the Eagles’ assistant offensive line coach since 2019, brings with him a deep connection to Stoutland, spanning over three decades. Their relationship dates back to their time together at Southern Connecticut State University in the late 1980s. Istvan’s departure marks one of several changes in the coaching staff for the Eagles, who are undergoing transitions under new coordinators Kellen Moore and Vic Fangio.
Istvan’s move to Cleveland reunites him with familiar faces, including Duce Staley, who was recently appointed as the Browns’ running backs coach. Additionally, Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and general manager Andrew Berry have ties to Istvan from their time with the Eagles in 2019.
Istvan’s departure adds to the list of changes within the Eagles’ coaching staff, which includes the departure of several assistants like offensive coordinator Brian Johnson and defensive coordinators Sean Desai and Matt Patricia. While some coaches have moved on to other roles, others’ future with the team remains uncertain, including Jemel Singleton, Aaron Moorehead, Jason Michael, D.J. Eliot, and Jeremiah Washburn, among others.
During Istvan’s tenure alongside Stoutland, the Eagles saw significant success with four offensive linemen earning a total of 11 Pro Bowl selections.
As for the 49ers, the team faces a dilemma regarding Brandon Aiyuk’s contract negotiations. Aiyuk expressed his desire to stay with the team, and the 49ers acknowledge his contributions but must navigate salary cap constraints and other financial considerations, particularly with impending contract negotiations for key players like Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Trent Williams. Balancing these factors will be crucial for the 49ers as they decide on Aiyuk’s contract situation and the future of their roster.
