Nick Sirianni just exposed a problem with Eagles' operation that is bound to blow up in their face at some point
If there's anything we've learned that could be detrimental to the outcome of the Philadelphia Eagles' 2024 NFL season through the first three weeks, it's that head coach Nick Sirianni is still calling plays. Sirianni's title was, or is, supposed to be the "CEO" and overlook the team but he's admitted to calling offensive plays […]
If there's anything we've learned that could be detrimental to the outcome of the Philadelphia Eagles' 2024 NFL season through the first three weeks, it's that head coach Nick Sirianni is still calling plays.
Sirianni's title was, or is, supposed to be the "CEO" and overlook the team but he's admitted to calling offensive plays during critical moments of the game that haven't worked out in Philly's favor.
The first one was during Monday night's loss to the Atlanta Falcons when the Eagles threw the ball to running back Saquon Barkley during a third-down situation as opposed to running it, and then followed that up with a field goal instead of going for it.
The other questionable play-call that Sirianni is taking the blame for came on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints when the Eagles lined up as if they were going to run the tush push on fourth down, but then Jalen Hurts handed the ball off to Barkley, who was stuffed on the play. However, nobody appeared too upset about this one since the Eagles pulled off the 15-12 win.
“Just so if anyone is wondering about the 4th-and-1 call at the end of the half, I called that not Kellen,” Sirianni said. “I called that play at the end of the half. Kellen did not. I called it. I thought that was what was best for our football team in that particular case. It was my decision. I did it. It didn’t work. I’ll get better from it. It was the play I thought was going to work in that particular case. It didn’t work. It’s not on Kellen. It’s not on the players. I put them in a bad spot and I made that call.”
So, how often are we going to see Sirianni override Moore?
Well, according to him, there is no cap.
"Yeah, I don’t say a number," Sirianni said. "But here and there, that’s going to happen. And that’s regardless of whether it was ’21, ’22, ’23 or ’24. We’re all coming up with the game plan together. We’re all putting in the work together. We’ve got good minds on the offensive side and defensive side, and so you talk through things."
Sirianni said that it's a "collaborative" effort and that while offensive coordinator Kellen Moore is ultimately calling the plays, passing game coordinator Kevin Patullo, offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland, tight ends coach Jason Michael, and run game specialist TJ Paganetti are also in on the decision.
"That happens throughout the game over and over and over again," Sirianni said. "That’s just the way every staff I’ve ever been on – whether I’m the head coach, or offensive coordinator, or quarterback coach, or I was a receiver coach – that’s how that works, and that’s how that worked. And I’m assuming that’s like that for teams I haven’t been on as well."
While it may be normal for several teams, it's something that the Eagles have found time and time again that their offense hasn't worked out well with Sirianni in charge. This is supposed to be Moore's offense but it's three games in and it appears to still be Sirianni's. That's not something that anyone wants after last season and it's only a matter of time until it blows up in their face again.
“I also understand the scrutiny that will happen when something like that happens,” Sirianni said. “I wanted you guys to know yesterday that in that scenario, with a questionable call there, that I made that decision. So that's why I let you guys in on that, because Kellen didn't need to bear that [responsibility], because I did that.
“That is why I brought you in on that yesterday. Not to open the door of, ‘Well, how many times you call this?’ or ‘How many times did you call that?’ It's collaborative. In that particular case, I called that one, and it didn't work. When that happens, I'll always make sure that you guys know about that.”