Rams safety Mikell could see Spagnuolo returning to Eagles

The game of connect-the-dots is on in earnest in Philadelphia.

Many believe Juan Castillo will be dismissed from his role as defensive coordinator of the Eagles. Steve Spagnuolorecently was dismissed from his role as head coach of the Rams. Spagnuolo has deep ties to the Eagles. Spagnuolo rose to prominence as a defensive coordinator with the Giants.

Connect. The. Dots.

Now add this to the mix: Former Eagles and current Rams safety Quintin Mikell spoke with Spagnuolo shortly after he was fired, and the pair discussed the possibility of the coach returning to Philadelphia, where he served under Andy Reid in various roles from 1999 to 2006.

Mikell came out of the conversation believing it was certainly possible his former coach could head back east in 2012.

"I would say he wouldn't be against returning to the Eagles," Mikell said Wednesday, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. "You got to remember he was a head coach, and it's not easy to go from being a head coach to taking a step down. But I would also say that if he did something like this, he would have to be somewhere he was comfortable with the situation and the people."

According to Mikell, Spagnuolo didn't know if an Eagles return would even be an option for him.

"He said he wasn't sure if that was in the cards," Mikell said. "At the end of the day, I feel he's a really good head coach, but I think he missed being involved in the play-calling. As the head coach, you're not as involved. It's a different type of job. Maybe he wants to get back to play-calling."

While not exactly a smoking gun, Mikell's comments do tell us the Eagles are on Spagnuolo's radar. We'll probably find out if the feeling is mutual sooner rather than later.