Eagles Set To Hire Mike Pellegrino As A Defensive Backs Coach

The former Buffalo Bills nickel back coach will join the Eagles' coaching staff.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The Philadelphia Eagles are expected to hire Mike Pellegrino, the former Buffalo Bills nickel back coach, as a defensive backs coach for their team. Pellegrino previously worked for the New England Patriots for 10 seasons, including the final six as their cornerbacks coach, before joining the Bills in 2025.

Why it matters

The Eagles' defensive backfield has seen some upheaval, with the team losing defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator Christian Parker to the rival Dallas Cowboys. This hiring of Pellegrino could help stabilize the Eagles' secondary as they look to improve their defensive performance.

The details

Pellegrino, 32, was a two-time All-American college lacrosse player at Johns Hopkins before starting his NFL coaching career with the Patriots in 2015. He was promoted to cornerbacks coach in New England from 2019 to 2024 before joining the Bills as their nickel back coach in 2025. The Eagles are expected to task Pellegrino with mentoring both safeties and nickel players in their defensive schemes.

  • Pellegrino worked for the Patriots from 2015 to 2018.
  • Pellegrino was the Patriots' cornerbacks coach from 2019 to 2024.
  • Pellegrino joined the Bills as their nickel back coach in 2025.

The players

Mike Pellegrino

A 32-year-old former college lacrosse star who has been a long-time assistant coach in the AFC East, most recently with the Buffalo Bills as their nickel back coach.

Christian Parker

The Eagles' former defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator who left the team to become the defensive coordinator for the rival Dallas Cowboys.

Joe Kasper

The Eagles' safeties coach who was promoted to defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator after Parker's departure.

Roy Anderson

The Eagles' cornerbacks coach who will continue in that role.

Ronell Williams

The Eagles' current assistant linebackers/defensive quality control coach who previously served as the team's nickel coach in 2023.

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What they’re saying

“The #Eagles are set to hire #Bills nickels coach Mike Pellegrino as a defensive backs coach, sources tell @CBSSports.”

— Matt Zenitz, CBS Sports Reporter (CBS Sports)

What’s next

The Eagles will need to finalize Pellegrino's hiring and determine his exact role within the defensive backfield, whether that's focusing on safeties, nickel players, or a combination of both.

The takeaway

This hiring of Mike Pellegrino as the Eagles' new defensive backs coach represents an effort to shore up the team's secondary after some recent coaching departures. Pellegrino's experience working with both cornerbacks and nickel backs could prove valuable as the Eagles look to improve their defensive performance in the 2026 season.