The Philadelphia Eagles are riding high with a 10-2 record! And not just that! They got a roster that screams “Super Bowl contender.” But behind the roaring cheers and locker room camaraderie, a storm of speculation swirls around head coach Nick Sirianni. Could his job security really hang in the balance despite such success? Buckle up—this is more than a tale of wins and losses.

Nick Sirianni may lead one of the NFL’s best teams. But Chris Canty’s bold claim on First Take has turned up the heat. “If they fall short and underwhelm in the postseason like they did last year… it’s on the board that Nick Sirianni could lose his job.” With the Eagles sitting pretty as the No. 1 seed in the NFC? Yeah, the pressure is absolutely crushing.

Canty didn’t mince words when he emphasized the stakes. “Having the one seed puts more pressure on Nick Sirianni because it shows he has a supremely talented team. If they’re one and done… his job security is gonna be called into question.” With coaching titans like Bill Belichick and Mike Vrabel possibly entering the hiring pool, Sirianni’s margin for error shrinks even further.

Then there’s the roster! The one that Howie Roseman, the Eagles’ GM assembled what many believe is a championship-caliber squad. This isn’t just Sirianni’s show anymore. As Canty pointed out, “This is the same franchise where Roseman—not Sirianni—hired the new coordinators after last year’s failures. It sets up for Sirianni to be the fall guy if things go south.” The leash, it seems, has never been shorter.  

The tension extends to Sirianni’s relationship with quarterback Jalen Hurts. Known for his fiery emotions, Sirianni contrasts sharply with Hurts’ reserved, methodical demeanor. The dynamics of their partnership have been described as “a work in progress,” with reports suggesting that last season’s struggles created some disconnect. Add in conservative play-calling that opposing defenses exploited, and it’s clear the coach-QB duo has faced its share of hurdles.  

Turning the tide—can Sirianni silence the critics?  

While Sirianni’s critics had a field day after last season’s collapse, the narrative has shifted. Especially, during the Eagles’ eight-game winning streak. Jalen Hurts, once rumored to have a fractured relationship with his coach, now sings a different tune. “I think [Sirianni] has been growing… everyone has to evolve as the season goes on, and I think he’s been able to evolve in the betterment of the team.” This evolution isn’t just lip service; it’s been evident in Sirianni’s patience, attention to detail, and ability to rally the squad.  

The Eagles’ success also reflects a culture reset. Sirianni’s mantra of focusing on habits over hype seems to be paying dividends. After a hard-fought win against the Ravens, he had his team cheering to get back to work. His pragmatic approach mirrors his response to job security rumors earlier in the season. “You gotta prepare for media… but if I’m gonna tell these guys not to listen when the word is out that we’re not any good, I need to do the same thing.” The message? Block out the noise and focus on the grind.  

However, this transformation hasn’t erased the doubts entirely. As an “offense-by-committee” coach, Sirianni doesn’t call the plays. The question? How much of the Eagles’ turnaround is truly his doing? According to critics, the Eagles’ success often is more like a collective effort. Not just a direct result of Sirianni’s genius. Is he the glue holding it together? Or just a passenger on a supremely talented ride?  

As Canty warned, “If Sirianni doesn’t take them to that level in 2024, the leash probably isn’t very long.” Will he rise to the occasion and cement his legacy? Or will the weight of expectations finally crack the foundation? For now, all eyes are on Sirianni. And well, he knows better than anyone that in Philadelphia, you’re only as good as your last game.