After 14 seasons, Andy Reid's tenure has come to its inglorious end in Philadelphia, according to several reports. League sources tell CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora that an official announcement will come Monday.
The Eagles won just four times in 2012, their worst showing since Reid arrived in 1999, and four months after owner Jeffrey Lurie called another 8-8 campaign "unacceptable." Which meant that Reid's fate was officially sealed in Week 12, when the team dropped its eighth game (while in the midst of a nine-game losing streak).
Philadelphia was blown out in Reid's finale, a 42-7 no-show performance against the Giants that serves as a metaphor for a season that started with promise before the reality of a suspect defense, the lack of a franchise quarterback, and a ton of injuries doomed the Eagles again. But unlike most of the other coaches set to get their Black Monday pink slips, Reid will be in demand as a head coach elsewhere.
On Sunday, league sources told La Canfora that Reid was not only bracing for the inevitable but was prepared to leave Philly even if ownership decides to keep him. That decision likely has something to do with Reid knowing that it's time for a change of scenery but also because he will have "numerous opportunities" for other head-coaching gigs in the coming weeks.
Shortly after the Eagles' season ended at MetLife Stadium, Reid told reporters that "I haven't met with Jeffrey (Lurie)" about the future, but added, "Either way, I understand. If I'm here again, I'll love every minute of it. If I'm not, I'll understand that too."
Meanwhile, quarterback Michael Vick, who could follow Reid out the door after signing a $100 million contract before the 2011 season, said this of the coach who gave him a second chance after a stint in prison.
"I love him to death," Vick said of Reid. "I wish I could have done more so it didn't come to this. He can't play the game."
Now let the speculation begin on where Reid will land. Early favorites include San Diego and Kansas City.
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