ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 10: Fletcher Cox #91 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on from the sideline prior to an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 10, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
In response to questions about coach Nick Sirianni’s future with the franchise, Eagles veteran defensive tackle Fletcher Cox passionately defended him.
Cox emphasized Sirianni’s winning record, stating, “What is there to talk about, man? He’s a winner. He’s a winning head coach.” Despite acknowledging challenges during the season, Cox highlighted Sirianni’s achievements, including winning 10-plus games for two consecutive years and leading the team to three playoff appearances in as many years.
Cox expressed respect for Sirianni as a good leader for the team, recognizing that while they fell short and faced challenges during the year, he doesn’t entertain discussions about firing a man with a family.
Nick Sirianni, at 42, has guided the Eagles to a 34-17 regular-season record and three consecutive playoff appearances, including a Super Bowl LVII trip last February that ended in a 38-35 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Despite a promising 10-1 start to the 2023 campaign, the Eagles struggled in the latter part of the season, losing six of their last seven games, ultimately falling to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 32-9 in the wild-card playoff matchup.
Sirianni’s decision to replace defensive coordinator Sean Desai with Matt Patricia late in the season, described as solely his call, had negative consequences. The team, despite its talent, found itself in a prolonged slump, prompting speculation about potential changes at the leadership level.
In the wake of the disappointing loss to the Buccaneers, quarterback Jalen Hurts, who threw a career-high 15 interceptions in 2023, did not directly address whether he wanted Sirianni back for another season. Hurts stated, “I didn’t know he was going anywhere.” When asked about his confidence in Sirianni’s ability to address the team’s issues, Hurts expressed confidence in everyone in the organization but acknowledged the need for cleaner, error-free football.
Despite the challenges faced by the Eagles, including their recent loss, quarterback Jalen Hurts and others have consistently emphasized that the team’s shortcomings are a collective responsibility, extending beyond any single individual.
Center Jason Kelce expressed his support for Nick Sirianni, stating, “Of course, yeah, I love Nick. I think Nick’s a great coach, I really do. I think he’s a great head coach.” Kelce acknowledged that the team, including players and coaches, collectively fell short in the recent stretch. In the reality of the business, when performance is subpar, it becomes a collective issue. However, Kelce maintained his faith in Nick Sirianni despite the challenges faced by the team.
