The Philadelphia Eagles limped into the bye week with a 2-2 record following a decimating loss to the Buccaneers. They were able to score a win over the Browns (although marginal), but nobody seems to be talking about it. Instead, all of the focus is once again being placed on Head Coach, Nick Sirianni, who continues to steal the spotlight for all of the wrong reasons.
In the space of 4 hours, Sirianni put up a Russell Westbrook-esque stat-pad of a line
- A shaved head
- An abysmal offensive performance
- Decided to rile up his own fans
- Invited his kids to the press conference
- Gave a few cagey responses at said press conference, swearing in front of his kids despite an obvious family atmosphere.
Is Nick Sirianni on the hot seat?
Fast forward just two more days and the fires are showing no signs of calming. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane, multiple Eagles officials were “embarrassed” by Sirianni’s behavior on Sunday, while Colin Cowherd went on record stating how Nick Sirianni reminds him of a “crypto bro” and “the crash is coming.”
So the question now presents itself – just how long is his lease in Philadelphia?
We’re not talking about the same Head Coach who stunned the NFL during the first two years of his tenure. The Eagles collapsed in catastrophic fashion last season. He doesn’t call the plays anymore and is merely a morale booster on the sidelines…and even that is now being called into question.
In his last 11 games, Sirianni is 4-7. The Eagles haven’t scored a SINGLE first quarter point all season, and the team ranks 18th in points per game despite playing opponents that combine for a 15-15 record.
This is of course while fielding one of the most-stacked groups in the entire league. Sure, there have been some bumps and bruises along the way, but with a player that has been paid like a top-5 quarterback, two elite receivers, one of the best running backs in football, and a dominant offensive front, there is simply no excuse.
So when the Eagles struggle to do much of anything against one of the worst teams in the league, at home, after a bye, with the team nearing full health, it raises question marks. Then Nick Sirianni decides to go on a generational run of fuelling the fire, leaving people with no choice but to wonder simply how long this can go on for.
At what point does the music stop for Nick Sirianni? Is it if the Eagles lose to the Giants? Is it a potential blowout loss to the Bengals or Jags? Or is everything magically okay if the Eagles sneak into a newly-reshaped playoff picture where almost half the league makes it into the postseason by default?
If the Eagles do make a change, who steps up? Do they go all-in on Kellen Moore, or opt to give the reins to a sterner coordinator in Vic Fangio who brings an old-school mentality to the table?
There are so many variables here and the front office has to tread lightly. This is still a Super Bowl-caliber team and throwing the Baby out with the Bath Water would be extreme unless they felt genuine cause to do so.
If not now, then when?
A wise sailor might flee the storm as it gathers, but what if that storm never comes? Conversely, what if it’s already here and it’s too late?
It’s remarkable that even in a win, Nick Sirianni finds a way to inadvertently make things worse for his own future in Philadelphia…so what’s going to happen if the team loses a few more games this season?
His security in the City of Brotherly Love looks to be fading with each passing week, even during the wins. It’s going to take an entire internal rebuild of his own philosophies and attitude if he is to not only get this team back on track, but save his own job beyond this season.
Good enough simply isn’t good enough. The Eagles stripped Nick Sirianni of his coordinators this past offseason and bolstered the roster to a talent level not seen in a long time. An NFC Championship appearance was the base expectation for many, and that’s already feeling like a distant dream. With no excuses left and an ensuing trend of damaging behavior, it surely can’t belong before the Eagles decide they have to go in a different direction to save their season.
Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
