Nick Sirianni apologizes after sideline antics criticized, called a ‘clown’ by ESPN analyst; Jordan Mailata likely out 'a couple weeks'

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni apologized Monday for how he reacted at the end of Sunday's 20-16 win over the Browns.

Sirianni was captured by cameras on the Eagles sideline appearing to taunt fans. During the Eagles' win, some fans booed and even chanted "fire Nick" as the team struggled at times against a lesser opponent.

"I’m sorry and disappointed with how my energy was directed after the game," Sirianni said. "My energy should be all in on coaching, motivating, and celebrating with our guys. I got to have better wisdom and discernment for when to use that energy."

The Eagles entered Sunday ranked near the bottom of the league in sacks. They had sacked opposing quarterbacks just six times in their first four games. Their most effective pass rusher has at times has been 36-year-old Brandon Graham. Their high-priced free agent signing, Bryce Huff, hasn’t been impactful. Veteran Josh Sweat, meanwhile, has had his moments, and second-year edge rusher Nolan Smith has mostly struggled.

The Browns, who are allowing the most sacks in the NFL, were the perfect antidote for a pass rush that needed a boost.

Seven different Eagles on Sunday were credited with at least a partial sack. The Eagles sacked Deshaun Watson five times, nearly doubling their 2024 output. Cleveland has a banged-up offensive line protecting a quarterback that isn’t playing well, so take the strong showing with that context in mind. Next up is New York’s Daniel Jones, who has been sacked 14 times, in the middle of the pack as far as the NFL’s starting quarterbacks go.

— Jeff Neiburg

Former New England Patriots defender turned ESPN analyst Damien Woody didn't mince his words about Nick Sirianni's sideline antics Monday.

Appearing on Get Up Monday, Woody said it was wrong for Sirianni to taunt Eagles fans who likely paid good money to head out to the Linc and support the team.

"This dude is a straight clown, bro. I just don't have any respect for what this man is doing," Woody said. "You all barely beat the god-awful Cleveland Browns, then you want to talk trash to the fans."

Leave it to Lane Johnson to cut through the crap, so to speak.

“We’re a constipated offense,” the Eagles right tackle said. “That’s what it [bleeping] feels like.”

Johnson wasn’t alone in his sentiment as evidenced by the lukewarm response fans gave the Eagles throughout Sunday afternoon, even as they put the finishing touches on a 20-16 win over the Browns at Lincoln Financial Field.

Following the Eagles' narrow win against the lowly Cleveland Browns, Fox Sports cameras captured Nick Sirianni jawing with Birds fans at the Linc.

This isn't the first time Sirianni has gone at it with fans. Last season, he was seen taunting Kansas City Chiefs fans following an Eagles' win in Arrowhead, and in 2022 he got into it with Indianapolis Colts fans. Sirianni sidestepped questions about Sunday's outburst following the game, telling reporters with a wink, "Just excited to get the win."

Sunday's antics are causing some fans and pundits to question his discipline on the sidelines and its impact on the team.

Whenever Grant Calcaterra lines up for a passing play, he can sense the wandering eyes of defenders directly across from him.

Such is life for the supporting cast of the Eagles’ passing game. With both A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith returning to the lineup on Sunday, the team’s 20-16 win against the Browns illustrated the gravity the pair have, and their tendency to deliver when the Eagles need them in the game’s pivotal moments.

Brown and Smith had a restorative effect on the Eagles’ passing game after the former missed three games with a hamstring injury and the latter was sidelined for a game-and-a-half with a concussion.