PHILADELPHIA — Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni was caught on camera expressing his emotions toward a group of fans following the team’s 20-16 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. The win, which was marked by moments of offensive struggle, had the Eagles facing boos from the home crowd as they struggled to assert their dominance over the 1-5 Browns.
With a smile and a wink, Sirianni explained that his animated interaction with the fans was simply due to his excitement for the win, while also commending the crowd for their energy, which led to a couple of false-start penalties by the Browns.
In response to the boos directed at the Eagles during the game, Sirianni indicated that the team prefers positive reinforcement from their supporters. “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.”
Sirianni has faced scrutiny following a disappointing finish last season, where the Eagles, who had a strong start at 10-1, faltered with a 1-6 record, resulting in the dismissal of both offensive and defensive coordinators.
This season, the Eagles’ performance has been underwhelming. Despite having a talented roster featuring a top-tier offensive line and skilled players like A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Saquon Barkley, the offensive output has not met expectations. Since their opening game against the Green Bay Packers, where they scored 34 points, the Eagles have averaged only 18 points in the subsequent four games. Brown has missed significant time due to injury, and other key players, including Smith and tackle Lane Johnson, have also been sidelined.
During the game, there were instances when sections of the crowd chanted “Fire Nick” during low points. Sirianni was notably more expressive than earlier in the season, engaging with several Browns defensive backs and becoming animated with referees on multiple occasions. Previously, he had toned down his sideline behavior, aware that excessive confrontations, especially with officials, could send a negative message to his team. Eagles CEO Jeffrey Lurie mentioned that Sirianni needed to find a balance in expressing his passion without going overboard.
On Sunday, Sirianni revealed that some players had encouraged him to bring back his energetic demeanor. “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 explained. He acknowledged that if he expected players to celebrate after big plays, he should lead by example.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts expressed his support for Sirianni, indicating he was among the players who urged the coach to be himself. “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 commented. He conveyed enthusiasm for Sirianni’s growth and its potential positive impact on the team.