NFL
By: Brock Vierra
Honestly, Nick Sirianni’s employment with the Philadelphia Eagles shouldn’t even be questioned. As someone who is a fan of a team that has been trying to find a championship-caliber coach for about 30 years, it is absolutely insane that we are talking about firing a coach who has done nothing but win since being hired. I understand that Eagles fans are upset as what was supposed to be a promising year fell apart in the second half of the season but the overreaction from what has been a recently spoiled fan base absolutely shocks me.
Perhaps it is because I watched the Eagles fail to meet expectations when I was first introduced to football or the fact that making the playoffs is an actual occasion for someone like me and not a given like it’s been for Eagles fans in the 21st century but here’s what I know.
Nick Sirianni has been the Eagles head coach for three seasons. He has never suffered a losing year. He has made the playoffs every year. He is the coach who stuck with Jalen Hurts despite many people doubting his QB. He is the coach who believes in the investment into quality pass catchers, an investment that has paid off tenfold. He watched and helped a championship offensive line be rebuilt. He’s won an NFC championship and he’s beloved by his players. What’s more to say?
The Eagles are still an imposing force
For those who say that Shane Steichen was the reason behind the Eagles’ offensive success, I’d agree with you. He is. That’s what a head coach needs, a proper play-caller. Brian Johnson didn’t live up to his predecessor. It happens, it’s football. Sirianni shouldn’t be crucified because he made a subpar hire because where’s the praise for him when he was the only guy to hire Steichen? When Anthony Lynn was fired by the Chargers, 32 different head coaches had the opportunity to hire Steichen and only one did. Nick Sirianni. I’m sure if given a third hire, he’ll hit a home run again.
Hiring a good offensive coordinator is a tough business. In fact, Hall of Fame QB Troy Aikman has stated “The hardest job on a coaching staff is Offensive Coordinator.” He would know considering the clear statistical difference between the Cowboy’s offense under Norv Turner and any other OC. Sirianni missed on one hire and still won 11 games. That should tell you everything you need to know.
The defense was a mess this year. Jonathan Gannon left and neither Sean Desai or Matt Patricia could figure it out. It happens. Let’s also not forget that the Eagles not only lost Gannon but also lost Vic Fangio after 2022. That’s a lot of brain power to replace. The Eagles also lost two starting linebackers. Things take time to fix.
However, the Eagles are still a force to be reckoned with. They’ve basically acquired all the replacements for their aging stars, allowing them to focus on the holes in their roster this offseason. They have young and upcoming talents on both sides of the ball and there seems to be a desire to run it back from the majority of the roster.
Jalen Hurts wants Sirianni there, Fletcher Cox does and Eagles fans should too. A few months of bad football shouldn’t erase three years of success, especially when there’s no guarantee the next guy will do a better job or have the same unit cohesion. Must I remind you of Chip Kelly? Is Sirianni cocky, arrogant, and sometimes annoying? Yes. Is that what the Eagles need right now? Absolutely.
If there’s any chance Jason Kelce returns for one last run, it’s with Sirianni. Why? Because Jalen Hurts has looked like an MVP candidate under him. The offense is explosive under him. The team wins with him and the issues are as clear as day and fixable. Pump the breaks on firing Sirianni before he goes somewhere else and has success.
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