Despite a win against the Browns, head coach Nick Sirianni’s job security remains a topic of conversation. If anything, the pressure is increasing after a uninspiring performance from the team, and strange post game antics from Sirianni. After a miserable finish to 2023, where Sirianni appeared to lose the locker room, a fast start was needed. Despite a solid 3-2 start, the performances have left a lot to be desired.
An Uninspiring Offense
The biggest problem for Nick Sirianni is that his team is underperforming on the field. Even when the team is winning, they are winning ugly. On Sunday, they scraped their way past a hapless Browns team which is in crisis due to the Deshaun Watson disaster. The offensive performance left a lot to be desired. Lane Johnson described the offense as ‘constipated’, which is a fitting description. The unit has had its moments but tends to bog down in opponents’ territory. Jalen Hurts and company had no trouble moving the ball, gaining 372 yards on the day, but that only translated to 20 points. Those 20 points were enough to beat a Deshaun Watson-led offense, but in big games, they are going to need to do better.
Despite not calling the plays, Sirianni comes from an offensive background and is heavily involved with the unit. However, things have yet to click, with Philadelphia averaging just over 21 points per game. The offense tends to have one or two stand-out performers, but the whole unit does not click at the same time. Some weeks Saquon Barkley is on fire, but the passing game can’t get going. This week, AJ Brown and Devonta Smith were both excellent, but the ground game was inefficient. The Eagles need to get the running and passing game working in harmony. If that happens, the heat will simmer down for Nick Sirianni.
Off Field Antics
Nick Sirianni has always been an abrasive personality. When things were going well in 2022, that made him a cult hero in Philadelphia. However, with the results not there, Sirianni’s antics are not going over as well. After the win on Sunday, Sirianni was seen chirping with fans who were booing the team. After a narrow victory against one of the worst teams in the NFL, that is a bad look. While Sirianni downplayed the incident, it is going to be a major talking point. It was an unforced error for a coach already under pressure. Unless the performances improve, Sirianni is going to be a major talking point.
The Perils of the CEO Head Coach
Nick Sirianni does not call the offensive or defensive plays for the Eagles. That means he relies a lot on the people around him. He nailed his staff hires when he got the Eagles job. Shane Steichen and Jonathan Gannon were both excellent coordinators. However, when you excel as a coordinator, head coaching jobs open up. Both Gannon and Steichen were poached, and Sirianni has been unable to adequately replace them. This is a danger when you are not a play-calling head coach. You have to rely heavily on those around you. Dan Campbell in Detroit might face a similar issue when offensive coordinator Ben Johnson leaves.
The NFL is a volatile business. One minute you can be on top of the world, the next you can be out of a job. Nick Sirianni is figuring out why some people say the NFL stands for “not for long”.
Main Image: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
