The Eagles introduced Sean McDermott as their new defensive coordinator, taking over from Jim Johnson. (Brian Garfinkel / Associated Press)

The Eagles took another step forward in what has to be a difficult situation on Saturday when they formally introduced Sean McDermott as the team’s new defensive coordinator. McDermott, formerly the Eagles’ secondary coach, takes over for longtime coordinator Jim Johnson, who took an indefinite leave of absence in May to continue treatment for a cancerous tumor.

Head coach Andy Reid introduced McDermott at a news conference Saturday, but began by talking about Johnson.

“Both Sean and I are very sensitive to the situation with Jim [Johnson] and the battle that he is continuing with melanoma,” Reid said. “I have been in contact with both Jim and Vicky [Johnson], and they fully support this situation of announcing Sean, knowing that, for right now, this is absolutely the best thing for the team to have someone in a leadership position that is here to lead the defense.”

McDermott also chose to keep the focus on Johnson during his opening remarks, before he took questions from reporters.

“It’s an opportunity I take very seriously,” McDermott said. “This seat is an important and respected seat that I’m sitting in right now. It’s an opportunity at that same time that I have prepared myself for. I have spent a considerable amount of time doing that, and I look forward to continuing to do that in the future. With that being said, it’s important to understand that some of my biggest concerns right now are for Jim, his wife, Vicky, and their entire family.”

Here’s a link to the full news conference transcript.

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