Eagles coach Nick Sirianni on his job security: ‘I’m not thinking about that ... I’m not worried about me’
Sirianni received some votes of confidence in the locker room after the Eagles' 32-9 playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but it's unclear if he'll remain the coach.
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni during their 32-9 loss to the Bucs in an NFC wild-card game on Monday.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
TAMPA, Fla. — An emotional Nick Sirianni walked through the visitors’ locker room at Raymond James Stadium late Monday night, going from locker to locker to give players handshakes and hugs.
After the Eagles’ 32-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card round of the playoffs, the coach wore the rigors of the last few months — and perhaps the uncertainty that awaits him in the immediate future — on his face.
The Eagles now enter a long offseason with the bitter taste of a stunning collapse to accompany them. After they lost six of their last seven games, it’s fair to wonder whether Sirianni will remain head coach of the team going into the offseason.
When asked about his level of concern about his job security, Sirianni said he wasn’t focused on himself.
“I’m not thinking about that,” he said. “I’m thinking about the guys. There’s a lot of guys in that locker room, all the guys in that locker room that put their heart and soul into this. I’m not worried about me. As a head coach, I’m just trying to be there for our guys and our staff right now, through a tough time, obviously.”
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter walks off the field after the game. Eagles lose 32-9 to the Buccaneers in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fl. on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024.Read moreDavid Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Justyn Caches, center, and Mike Ott at right both from south Jersey, at Xfinity Live watching the Eagles lose to Tampa Bay.Read moreSteven M. Falk / Staff Photographer
Eagles center Jason Kelce walks off the field after the Eagles lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Wild Card playoff game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Monday, January 15, 2024.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts walks off the field after a turnover on downs with 3:12 left in the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa , Fla. on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Wilson Fraticelli, of Philadelphia, reacts to watching the Eagles at Xfinity Live lose to Tampa Bay.Read moreSteven M. Falk / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is sacked by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Greg Gaines with five minutes left in the fourth quarter.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach Nick Sirianni watches the Eagles go for it unsuccessfully on fourth down, in the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Read moreDavid Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay is in a lot of pain as he is carted off the field during the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay BuccaneersRead moreDavid Maialetti / Staff Photographer
against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa , Fla. on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024.Read moreDavid Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles fan with a “Fire Sirianni” sign in the third quarter as the Philadelphia Eagles play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts talks to the officials ruling if the play was intentional grounding in the third quarter.Read moreDavid Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Trey Palmer scores in the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25-9 lead.Read moreDavid Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Anthony Nelson pulls down Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts in the end zone in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. Hurts was flagged for intentional grounding, causing a safety giving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers two points in the third quarter.Read moreDavid Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Diane Knuckles, from Drexel Hill, reacts to watching the Eagles lose to Tampa Bay at Xfinity Live.Read moreSteven M. Falk / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles running back D'Andre Swift runs with the ball against Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams sacks Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts throws the football to teammate Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert past Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shaquil Barrett during the third quarter.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles safety Kevin Byard tackles Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White in the third quarter.Read moreDavid Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith during a break in the third quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert was looking for a pass interference call on Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and got it in the third quarter.Read moreDavid Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox celebrates a quarterback sack in the third quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts sacked by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Calijah Kancey in the third quarter.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is pressured on third down against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Read moreDavid Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles running back D'Andre Swift runs in the first play of the third quarter with a loss of 1 yard.Read moreDavid Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield stiffarms Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham as he tries to tackle him in the second quarter in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa , Fla. on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox comes in to finish the tackle forcing Tampa Bay Buccaneers to punt the ball.Read moreDavid Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White runs over Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Bradley Roby in the second quarter in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Tampa Bay Buccaneers push Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts back from a two-point conversion in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. Read moreDavid Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Eagles fans Thomas Sprenger, sleeping and Cecilia Andiron both from south Jersey at Xfinity Live watching the Eagles Tampa Bay wild card playoff game during the second quarter.Read moreSteven M. Falk / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Julio Jones is walked after the field after a second-quarter injury while playing against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Read moreDavid Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert celebrates a touchdown with Philadelphia Eagles tight end Jack Stoll and Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson during the second quarter.Read moreDavid Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert scores a second-quarter touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles running back D'Andre Swift gets taken down by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end William Gholston (left) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (right).Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts with taped-up fingers in the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs. Hurts suffered a dislocated middle finger on this throwing hand during the game against the NY Giants in week 18.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles fan reacts after Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield runs for a big gain and picks a first down in the second quarter.Read moreDavid Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts keeps the ball on a run with Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka giving chase.Read moreDavid Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts throws an incomplete pass by Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David in the second quarter.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith against Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Christian Izien during the second quarter.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts watches the end of the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa is up by 13, Eagles with 0.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Josh Sweat sacks Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield with 14:30 left in the second quarter.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver David Moore celebrates first quarter touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Fans at Xfinity Live watching the Eagles Tampa Bay wild card playoff game during the first quarter. Read moreSteven M. Falk / Staff Photographer
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton stiff arms Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nicholas Morrow as he picks up a big gain late in the first quarter.Read moreDavid Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Josh Sweat sacks Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield at the start of the second quarter.Read moreDavid Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Bradley Roby and Philadelphia Eagles cornerback James Bradberry cannot bring down Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White in the first quarter during the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs at Raymond James Stadium inTampa , Fla. on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024.Read moreDavid Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton picked up a first down after being tackled by Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Avonte Maddox during the first quarter in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa , Fla. on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024.Read moreDavid Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield scrambles in the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Be Love on the back of the helmet of Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Patrick Johnson for Martin Luther King Day seen before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham cheers the team on as they enter the field before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts warming up during pre-game before the Philadelphia Eagles play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa , Fla. on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024.Read moreDavid Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith heads out to the field to warm up before facing the Buccaneers in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs.Read moreDavid Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith warms up before facing the Buccaneers in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs.Read moreDavid Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith warms up before facing the Buccaneers.Read moreDavid Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith meets with offensive coordinator Brian Johnson before the Eagles NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham arrives in street clothes before the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fl. Read moreDavid Maialetti / Staff Photographer
In detailing the free fall that will define this Eagles season Monday night, Sirianni took accountability for not being able to find a way out of the rut the team fell into.
The offensive struggles to find rhythm against blitz-heavy defenses persisted as the answers, or lack thereof, against extra rushers became increasingly predictable. Quarterback Jalen Hurts faced constant pressure Monday night, getting sacked three times and committing an intentional-grounding penalty in the end zone, resulting in a safety that effectively put the game out of reach for the Eagles.
Defensively, Sirianni’s decision to strip coordinator Sean Desai of play-calling duties in favor of Matt Patricia backfired. The defense gave up 426 yards to a Bucs offense that ranked 23rd in total yards in the regular season.
The persistent nature of the Eagles’ schematic problems on both sides of the ball invites questions about Sirianni’s ability to fix what ails the team, something the third-year coach said he’s still confident he can do.
“We believe in ourselves,” he said. “I’m not sitting in this room for any [other] reason. I’m not built that way. What gives me the confidence to think that we can fix it? Because we believe in ourselves and we’re in these seats at the top of our profession because we worked our [butt] off to get here. I can promise you this, nobody in that locker room thinks that way even a little bit. I don’t know in what profession anyone does think that way and doubts themselves, but it sure as [heck] ain’t us.”
Sirianni got several votes of confidence from players in the Eagles locker room, although Hurts’ answers when asked if he wanted Sirianni back as head coach left room for interpretation.
“I didn’t know he was going anywhere,” Hurts said initially.
Hurts had a career-high 15 interceptions and five fumbles lost in the regular season, giving him the highest turnover tally of his career as well. According to an ESPN report on Monday, the shape the offense took on this season has been a source of disappointment for Hurts.
When asked if he had confidence in Sirianni, Hurts said, “I have a ton of confidence in everyone in this building. It’s just a matter of us going out there and playing clean football.”
Sirianni said he hasn’t set the schedule for the upcoming days yet and wouldn’t give details on when he would meet with Jeffrey Lurie. The 72-year-old owner has overseen four coaching changes (not counting interim coaches) since purchasing the team in 1994. His most recent change came when he fired Doug Pederson after the 2020 season, almost three years removed from the first Super Bowl victory in franchise history.
Aside from interim coaches, Sirianni has the best winning percentage in franchise history. He has gone 34-17 (.667) in the regular season and 2-3 in the playoffs, but it may not matter considering the free fall the team has experienced.
Eagles edge rusher Haason Reddick defended Sirianni after the game, saying the problems that faced the team were bigger than just one person.
“I think that Nick did the very best that he could to make sure guys were motivated to go play and do his best to make sure everybody knew their job and their details on both sides,” Reddick said. “I place no blame on Nick, man. It’s a team sport, it takes a lot of people — it’s not just one person, it takes a lot of people to make this thing work.
“It’s not what we wanted. But it’s not on one person, and it’s definitely not on Nick.”
Right tackle Lane Johnson, notably more experienced with the organization and more familiar with the nature of the business for its coaches, said he’s “just sitting and watching.”
“I really don’t know what’s going to happen,” Johnson said. “It’s very frustrating. You see what this team was and you see how the team ended and the slide that we had.
“It’s a wild business we’re in. Nobody’s safe. We’ll see what happens.”
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