Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni was captured on camera expressing his emotions toward fans following the team’s 20-16 victory against the Cleveland Browns. The Eagles faced criticism from the home crowd during parts of the game due to an underwhelming offensive performance, which saw the team struggling against the 1-5 Browns.
With a smile and a wink, Sirianni explained his interaction with the fans, stating he was “just excited to get the win” and thanked the crowd for their loud support, which helped induce a few false-start penalties from Cleveland. However, he acknowledged the negative reactions from fans, saying, “We thrive off the crowd when they cheer for us. We don’t necessarily like it when they boo. I don’t think that’s productive for anybody.”
Sirianni has faced scrutiny since last season, when the Eagles, who started 10-1, ended the year with a 1-6 record, resulting in the dismissal of his offensive and defensive coordinators. The current season has not alleviated those concerns, with the offense failing to meet expectations despite having one of the league’s strongest offensive lines and talented skill players like A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Saquon Barkley.
After scoring 34 points in their season opener, the Eagles have averaged only 18 points in their subsequent four games. Injuries have plagued key players, including Brown, who has only appeared in two games.
During the match, some sections of the crowd began chanting “Fire Nick” during critical moments. Sirianni was noticeably more animated on the sidelines compared to earlier in the season, engaging with Browns players and officials.
Previously, Sirianni had toned down his sideline demeanor, aware that aggressive behavior toward referees might send a negative message to his players. Eagles CEO Jeffrey Lurie remarked that while Sirianni’s passion is important, it’s about finding a balance.
Sirianni mentioned that his renewed intensity was partly influenced by feedback from his players, who expressed a desire for him to bring back his energy. He said, “When I’m operating and having fun, I think that breeds to the rest of the football team.”
Quarterback Jalen Hurts confirmed he was among those encouraging Sirianni to embrace his natural coaching style, emphasizing trust in his leadership and a collective effort to grow as a team.