The offseason was full of changes for the Philadelphia Eagles. After losing 5 out of the last 6 games in 2023 season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated them in the wildcard playoffs. The management held then-OC Brian Johnson responsible for the failing offense, firing and replacing him with Kellen Moore. But someone else controlled the game in reality. It was Nick Sirianni, the Eagles’ Head Coach. Earlier, analysts blamed him for OC’s firing. Now, the ground is slipping from under his feet.

On August 16, Former Dallas Cowboys DE Chris Canty asserted on ESPN’s Unsportsmanlike show that this year will be decisive for the coach. Claiming that he got his OC and DC (Sean Desai) fired after last season’s debacle, the new OC & DC (Vic Fangio) have a good track record. The DE added that Howie Roseman, Eagles executive VP, and GM, will have no other option than firing Sirianni, saying, “This is going to be a referendum on Nick Sirianni as a head coach. So if things don’t work out this year, it’s an indictment on the head coach. There is quite literally nobody else left to fire for Howie Roseman. So if it doesn’t work out this year, it’s going to be on Nick Sirianni.” But that’s not the only worry for Sirianni. We would say that was the smaller one.

Referring to the much talked about the feud between the coach and his quarterback Jalen Hurts, he said, “I just don’t necessarily believe that Nick Sirianni can connect with Jalen Hurts in a meaningful way where you can repair that trust that has clearly been fractured.” His ‘hot seat’ just got ‘hotter.’ No one could miss the disconnection, even if he wanted to. Reportedly, the coach moved his offense in X’s and O’s chops. The QB didn’t like that. Initially, it hid in plain sight when the team won, even reaching 10-1. But when the losses started piling up, the differences became obvious. If the team wants better results, both would have to mend their relationship.

The offseason didn’t give much confidence that both are on the same page. After the minicamp in June, reporters asked Hurts about the coach’s openness to change the defense. His answer was, “Um, I mean, that’s a great question. I don’t know that I know the answer to it.” But the locker room is confident Moore will bridge the gap after both of them (coach & QB) took accountability in the off-season.

The team looks somewhat united, especially after Sirianni took responsibility for the results.

Nick Sirianni’s honest admission

In early August, Eagles’ players, coaches, staff, and management (including Roseman) assembled at the NovaCare Complex auditorium. Using that time to reveal his honest opinions about last season, the coach noted, “Last year was on me, on my shoulders. I didn’t get it done.” Players and staff were amazed by seeing the vibrant coach owning up to his mistakes. Some even claimed that it was passionate. That’s the trademark of Sirianni. His communication style is direct.

However, the preseason does not indicate any change in his actions. Last year, Nick Sirianni said that he would think about his strategy of not playing key players in the preseason. But this year has been the same. In the first two preseason games, Hurts has not played. But it also indicates he is trying to avoid the risk of injury to starters.

Sirianni-Hurts combination has taken the Eagles to playoffs the last 3 years in a row. They came close to the Super Bowl in 2023 before Kansas City Chiefs crushed them. They look good for the upcoming season, looking set to go for the Lombardi Trophy. Can Sirianni take the team to Super Bowl this season? Well, what are your thoughts?