You and I both know very well who’s one of the best coaches in the NFL world. But if we stand on the other side of the lens, the second Big Dance appearance in just four seasons doesn’t sound too bad, right? If there was ever a movie about Eagles’ HC Nick Sirianni, I’d definitely want tickets for it. Can you imagine? A crowd full of Eagles fans chanting “Fire Nick.” How deeply that must’ve affected his confidence. But it clearly wasn’t enough to bring him down, as he is now one game away from snatching that ring from Andy Reid’s Chiefs.

When you reach the top, it’s easy for people to criticize you. Well, ask Jason Kelce about it. He faced it firsthand when he was with the Eagles. That’s kinda like a package that you need to make amends with when you become one of the best. But it’s not about what they’re exhaling out, it’s all about how you’re inhaling it in, right? In an interview with SportsRadioWIP, Jason was asked about his views on Jalen Hurts and Nick’s criticism. “They’re going with the information they have and what they think to be true, and I don’t think that there’s anything wrong with that. I just happen to disagree with it in a lot of situations. Yeah, it makes sense.”

Jason didn’t just stop there: “They’re usually saying things that are grounded in some level of reality, and there might be a degree at which you disagree with them, and that certainly happens a lot with Jalen and Nick Sirianni because I happen to know them individually, and I think higher of them just on a baseline principle.” His words are straight up facts.

And you know what? Both Nick and Jalen probably know exactly what Jason is trying to say. Nick must hear naysayers all day. This one time in the Colin Cowherd podcast, Colin said “his methodology stinks,” and you know what Nick Sirianni’s mentality is. “Is every decision I make going to be glorified? No, not even a little bit.” And he concluded it with, “I’ll gladly take those criticisms because I know they’re coming.”

Jalen Hurts has been answering the critics since day one. Recently, people doubted whether he could even perform well in the playoffs. And Jalen gave silent clap-backs to every hater with his incredible performance so far. Let’s take the Commanders game, for instance. Hurts’ 91.4 PFF overall grade and 91.6 PFF passing grade were season-high marks—better than Jayden Daniels, Patrick Mahomes, and Josh Allen. They’ve come so far with a mentality that can’t be swayed by mere words.

And Jason Kelce couldn’t stop without crediting Hurts for what he has done for the Eagles.

Jason Kelce on Jalen Hurts’ impact on his team

Even Andy Reid agreed that Saquon Barkley is one of the best running backs of all time. But he also didn’t forget to give his flowers to Jalen Hurts. “Their quarterback is dialing it up right now, so whatever injuries he had early in the season, I mean, he’s playing like crazy right now.” Andy said in a post-game conference.

We are aware that Barkley is now seventh all-time in rushing yards with 442 rushing yards and a finalist for the NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year awards. And all of that couldn’t have happened if Jalen Hurts was not there to back him up. Jason Kelce also shared his thoughts on this: “Saquon Barkley would not have had the season he had without having Jalen Hurts as a quarterback, and that’s the reality of it, and he never gets credit for that, a little bit, but all of that goes to the offensive line at Saquon,” he said.

While some might see it as the former Eagles’ safety undermining Barkley, it was all said in good faith. After all, it is true that QBs can perform at their level best when there are talented receivers on the team. But to be a talented QB making good throws to any kind of receiver—be it good or bad—is actually impressive. “I don’t play the game for stats. I don’t play the game for numbers, any statistical approval from anyone else. The number one goal is always to come out here and win,” Jalen Hurts said.