The Philadelphia Eagles finished the season with a whimper after a 10-1 start to the year. They’re in the playoffs for the third straight season, which is a positive for the Birds even if it may not feel that way.
Head coach Nick Sirianni has been under fire in recent weeks and the whispers about his job security are getting louder.
Elliot Shorr-Parks of the Audacy original podcast “Go Birds” explained why the Eagles and owner Jeffrey Lurie owe it to Sirianni to let it be known if they’re not going to fire the head coach.
“If Jeffrey’s not going to fire him – let’s say in the NovaCare they are like this is laughable it’s being talked about,” Shorr-Parks said (18:25 in player above). “I think he needs to let it be known… You don’t have to say it but like leak it to Schefter.”
“That makes me feel like maybe they could fire him,” co-host James Seltzer replied. “I do think that’s the kind of thing they would do.”
Black Monday in the NFL kicked off with the Atlanta Falcons firing Arthur Smith and the Washington Commanders getting rid of Ron Rivera. While Sirianni wouldn’t be fired until at least the season ends, his status remains up in the air.
“Jeffrey does like owe it to Nick to an extent to not let him twist in the wind. Maybe privately he’s told him, but Nick needs it publicly,” Shorr-Parks continued. “Nick has been getting torched these last few weeks.
Whether Nick’s good at his job or not – and we don’t truly know Nick behind the scenes… Maybe he’s not doing a good job this year. Maybe his offensive scheme isn’t working. Maybe those things are true. He doesn’t deserve, in my opinion, to be twisting in the wind like this if people can come out and give him public support.”
Shorr-Parks pointed out that several Eagles have had career years under Sirianni, including their main offensive weapons. In fact, the franchise as a whole has taken a step forward in Sirianni’s tenure. That shouldn’t be overlooked.
“When Nick Sirianni came in and was the head coach here the Eagles were trying to trade Jalen Hurts. Obviously, I’m not discrediting the work Jalen has done, but Nick came in here and turned that around,” he said. “Nick came in here and got A.J. a career year. Nick has accomplished a lot for these players and for this team.
“When Nick was hired this was viewed as a dysfunctional franchise. No one wanted to work for Howie (Roseman). Jeffrey’s too involved. He’s a puppet. Blah blah blah. Maybe that will end up being true ultimately, but where this team was before Nick got here, they’re way better. They’re way better.”
The Eagles won double-digit games in each of the last two seasons. They hadn’t done that since 2013 and 2014 when they barely squeaked by with 10 wins in each season, and missed the playoffs in the latter.
This is also the Eagles’ third-straight playoff appearance for the first time since 2017 to 2019.
“At the end of the day, Nick has come in and accomplished a ton. And if they’re going to let him twist in the wind and they’re going to let everybody talk about it all week … that’s not fair to him,” Shorr-Parks concluded. “If you’re not going to fire him, let it be known. If you might fire him, it is what it is. But he doesn’t deserve to sit like this if you’re not going to fire him.”