PHILADELPHIA — Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni found himself in the spotlight after a heated exchange with fans at the conclusion of the team’s 20-16 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. The game, marked by a lackluster offensive performance from the Eagles, prompted boos from the home crowd as the talent-rich team struggled against the now 1-5 Browns.
Sirianni, smiling and winking, later clarified that he was simply “excited to get the win” and commended the fans for their loud support, which helped draw a few false-start penalties from the Browns. However, when confronted about the chorus of jeers directed at the team, Sirianni expressed a desire for a more positive atmosphere.
“We thrive off the crowd when they cheer for us. That’s all I’ll say,” he stated. “We hear them when they boo. We don’t necessarily like it. I don’t think that’s productive for anybody. But when they cheer for us and when we’ve got them rolling, we love it.”
The coach has faced scrutiny after last season’s disappointing finish, which saw the Eagles slide from a strong 10-1 start to a 1-6 record, resulting in the dismissal of his offensive and defensive coordinators. This season has not been much better, with the offensive performance frustrating fans and analysts alike.
Despite having one of the league’s top offensive lines and star players like A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Saquon Barkley, the Eagles have struggled to put up points. Since their opening game where they scored 34 points against the Green Bay Packers, they have averaged just 18 points over the following four games. Injuries to key players such as Brown and Smith have contributed to these challenges.
Sections of the crowd even started chants of “Fire Nick” during some frustrating moments of the game. Sirianni demonstrated a more intense sideline presence on Sunday, engaging in verbal exchanges with Browns players and expressing his displeasure to officials.
Previously, he had dialed back his sideline behavior, aware that confronting refs could send mixed messages to his players. Eagles CEO Jeffrey Lurie emphasized the importance of striking a balance between passion and restraint in Sirianni’s coaching style.
Sirianni shared that feedback from his players motivated him to reclaim his fiery approach. “I was having fun. And I kind of got some feedback from the guys, the sense of like, ‘We need you back, Nick. We need your energy. We need your focus,’” he revealed. He acknowledged that his own enjoyment could positively influence the team, encouraging him to celebrate big plays openly.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts backed this sentiment, noting that encouraging Sirianni’s authentic self was important for team cohesion. “It’s a reassurance of, we trust who you are. We trust where you are as a coach, and we know we can build with you. It’s about doing it together,” Hurts stated. “I’m excited for him and his growth and continue to see where he’s going, and I think it will continue to help our football team.”