Eagles

Really Enjoyed Sean Mannion’s Explanation of Why He’s Going to Call Eagles Games From the Booth

By Matt Schultz

Published: Sep 11th, 2026 · 1:59 PM EDT

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Sean Mannion spoke to the media at his midweek press conference, and these quotes about his decision to call the offense from the box had me laughing:

Q. The decision to coach the game on Sunday from the box, what went into that decision and what was the process like with Head Coach Nick Sirianni as you went about deciding that? (Eliot Shorr-Parks)

Sean Mannion: We used the preseason and the in-stadium scrimmage to our advantage. I was really happy to get to experience both. Obviously, I’ve been in the box in Green Bay, been on the field in Green Bay, calling it from both was a really valuable experience. Ultimately, I just felt like, after doing both, it was the best decision for our staff for communication with the quarterbacks and the best decision for the team. It was a very valuable experience, and I think we’re in a good place moving into the season.

Q. What do you like about it up there? What’s the advantage for you? (Dave Zangaro)

Sean Mannion: There’s a lot of different things, pros and cons to both. When you’re in the box, obviously you have a little bit more space. You’re not pacing around. You have the tablet. It’s a little bit like sitting at a desk, but I think just the vision is a little bit unique there, the higher vantage point. Honestly, I felt comfortable with both, and really, I just felt like the vision type of thing really led me to the decision. Ultimately, the other part of it is we have a great staff. They communicate really well on the sideline. There’s been constant lines of communication, and I think all of that led to the decision.

I know he’s just answering questions he’s being asked, but it’s very funny to me how much Sean Mannion explained why he prefers sitting in the booth. The explanation goes on for so long. Seems almost like he feels self-conscious about his decision to be in the box instead of on the field, and he feels the need to justify his decision to everyone:

MANNION: Yeah, well, you know, the field is great. Let me just say that up top: I love the field. I love the players. I love how sometimes players bump into me. I like that they’re all much taller and wider than I am, which makes it hard for me to see the game. I really enjoy that. The comaraderie. I like how loud it is. I like when players scream near me. Like right near my ear. That’s good. I like at any time a player could be tackled right into my knees and tear both my MCLs. That’s what it’s all about. I feel like a member of the team down there, which is good… Definitely…

But after much deliberation, after thinking and praying on it and talking with my wife, I’ve decided to call games from the box. For a few reasons. It was close, but I see a couple major advantages to the box. For example, in the booth, I get a chair. That’s huge. If I get to sit down and not think about my feet hurting, then I am sharper. I am crisp. I can focus on the game, on the offense, instead of my sore legs. I don’t have to worry about wearing certain special shoes. Nothing like that. I can just sit.

MEDIA MEMBER: Got it Sean, thanks.

MANNION: Also I get to use my computer up there. I love having my computer. I can Google pretty much whatever when I’m on my computer, and having access to information like that is critical.

MEDIA MEMBER: Got it.

MANNION: Not even just about football. About whatever. Whatever kind of thing I think of, I can Google it and learn something about that thing.

MEDIA MEMEBER: Right.

MANNION: I learned about Meta Oculus that way. I Googled it and learned about how they made it. That’s around the time I bought my Oculus.

MEDIA MEMBER: Okay.

MANNION: There are also many outlets around for my phone and computer chargers in the booth. The field doesn’t have that. There are very few wires of any kind at field-level. Also — and this is critical — there are little to no bugs in the booth, which is good. If I don’t have to worry about bugs, our offense reaps the benefits. If I don’t have to fear getting a bug in my eye or mouth, that helps me at my job. For instance, sometimes when I’m on the field, I’ll feel a tickle on my ear. When I’m outdoors and feel that kind of thing, a slight brush on my ear or neck, I always assume that’s a bug. A gnat or a mosquito. A cricket. Something like that. But when I’m indoors, like in the booth, for example, I’m more likely to assume it’s just a hair or something. Or even allergies. Allergies can make your skin kind of itchy. So it’s nice to not think about bugs almost at all in the booth.

MEDIA MEMBER: Right.

MANNION: The table, too, is nice.

MEDIA MEMBER: Thanks, Sean.

MANNION: Not having bugs in the booth is critical.

MEDIA MEMBER: You mentioned, yeah.

MANNION: Bugs make it hard for anyone to do their job.

Good stuff here, Sean. A simple “I can see the field better from the booth” would’ve sufficed, but I enjoyed this version more.