The Philadelphia Eagles have been enjoying a four-game winning streak, but something still feels off with this team. Quarterback Jalen Hurts has played well over this four-game stretch and running back Saquon Barkley has been playing the best football of his career. All good things, but Head Coach Nick Siriani continues to draw criticism from fans. Hurts hasn’t looked to be enjoying himself while playing under Siriani these last two seasons. That infectious leader fans from Alabama and even Oklahoma grew to know has all but vanished, being overshadowed by Siriani.
On Friday Siriani told reporters that Hurts was dealing with an ankle injury, that kept him out of practice earlier in the week. When reporters pointed out that, this contradicted the injury report the Eagles put out that stated Hurts was having a rest day, Siriani retracted his statement.
According to reports, Hurts couldn’t drop back and put pressure on his planting foot to throw in practice. Leading to back-ups Kenny Pickett and Tanner McKee taking over first-team reps. Hurts was, however, seen throwing during walk-throughs where he didn’t need to drop back or apply any pressure to his ankle. Siriani stated, that Hurts has been dealing with a lower leg injury for weeks now and the Eagles have put a workload constraint on the young quarterback.
Hurts was a full participant at practice both Thursday and Friday, he is expected to play this week against the Dallas Cowboys. Hurts did not appear on the Eagles’ final injury report for the week. When Hurts was asked about how the Eagles scheduled his rest day, Hurts would only reply “I just do what I’m told”.
Eagles Drama Continues Between Hurts and Siriani
The Eagles came into this season as the favorites to win the NFC East. After underperforming at the beginning of the year, they find themselves in second place behind the surprising Washington Commanders. This season has been filled with drama for the Eagles, between Siriani sparring with the fans and Jalen Hurts’ cryptic interviews. This team can keep winning all they want, but it feels like no matter how they do this team is on the verge of collapse every single week.
This past week Siriani was criticized for the Eagles deciding to go for the two-point conversion three times while leading the Jaguars and failing all three times. Failing to convert on a single two-point attempt effectively kept the Jaguars in the game and put the Eagles at risk of being upset by a struggling team. If the Eagles would have somehow managed to lose to former HC Doug Pederson and the Jacksonville Jaguars, the seat for Siriani would be a whole lot hotter.
The Fate of the Eagles
The Eagles are in position to make the playoffs, they truly control their own destiny moving forward. It’s very uncommon to be discussing a coaching change for a team that’s 6-2 and on the path to the playoffs. It has been a constant for this season though, with Nick Siriani doing himself no favors. The culture of the Eagles seems absent. The bright spots, like Barkley putting together the season of his career, are being overshadowed by the controversial head coach yelling at fans.
The rest of the season will greatly determine what comes of the Eagles moving forward. Hurts will be the Eagles’ quarterback next season, with his contract there isn’t a doubt about that. Siriani on the other hand could be feeling the pressure of being pushed out the door. Barring a deep playoff run, the Eagles could easily move on from Nick Siriani and most fans probably wouldn’t bat an eye. With big names out in the coaching market next season like Ben Johnson, Bill Belichick, and Brian Flores. Don’t be surprised if the Eagles decide to make the transition and try to create a new culture surrounding franchise quarterback Jalen Hurts.
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