Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive line coach Chris Kuper against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Although no one could ever truly replace Jeff Stoutland... the Philadelphia Eagles have chosen their next offensive line coach.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported Monday morning that the Eagles are hiring Chris Kuper as their O-line coach.
The Eagles are hiring Chris Kuper as their offensive line coach, sources tell The Insiders.
Kuper spent the past four seasons in the same role in Minnesota, where he crossed paths with new Eagles OC Sean Mannion. Now, they’re teaming up in Philly. pic.twitter.com/N6Ap2NRwCN
Kuper held the same role with the Minnesota Vikings from 2022 to 2025. In four seasons under Kuper, the Vikings allowed 203 sacks; they gave up 60 sacks in 2025 alone, good for second-most in the NFL. The offensive line never placed outside of the top 10 for most sacks allowed, ranking eighth, 10th, ninth and second in Kuper's four years. For comparison, the Eagles gave up 163 sacks in that same span.
Kuper, who played eight seasons in the NFL as an offensive lineman, wasn't technically fired by the Vikings. Instead, when his contract expired after the end of the 2025 season, the Vikings quietly chose not to bring him back.
Even if his track record isn't pristine (by any means), hiring Kuper reinforces an important priority for the Eagles as they build their new offensive coaching staff: familiarity. Kuper served as assistant O-line coach under then-Broncos head coach Vic Fangio from 2019 to 2021, and in 2023, the Eagles' new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion was the Vikings' backup quarterback while Kuper was on the coaching staff. Kuper also crossed paths with Josh Grizzard, the Eagles' new passing game coordinator, with the Miami Dolphins.
This is the Eagles' second hire with a Mannion connection; Mannion brought Ryan Mahaffey with him from the Packers to serve as the Eagles' new running game coordinator and tight ends coach.
The Eagles are clearly letting Mannion shape his own coaching staff, and the 33-year-old is infusing (relative) youth into the organization with Mahaffey, 38, and Kuper, 43. It'll be interesting to see who Mannion chooses as his quarterbacks coach, since the Eagles let Scot Loeffler go after just one season.
Again, no one can replace Stoutland. Over 13 seasons, the legendary O-line guru instituted a standard of excellence; his players earned 15 All-Pro honors and made 27 Pro Bowls. As a coach, Kuper has just one Pro Bowl credit to his name: Vikings right tackle Brian O'Neill was elected in 2024.
Stoutland built up a ton of momentum during his tenure. Hopefully Kuper will take advantage of the Eagles' wealth of O-line talent and keep that momentum going. He definitely has giant shoes to fill.
