Can Nick Sirianni Save His Job? Coach Meets With Philadelphia Eagles Owner Jeffrey Lurie: 4 Things to Know
When the team came off the field Monday night in Tampa Bay, one man's face told the whole picture regarding what had been an epic collapse.
The Philadelphia Eagles dropped six of their final seven games after starting 10-1, and the sour taste in the mouth of owner Jeffrey Lurie could be seen on television for the whole world to see.
Following reports that the owner had been taking a more hands-on approach with the team even before the Wild Card loss, there were plenty of people speculating what would happen to head coach Nick Sirianni after another lackluster performance in primetime.
Sirianni's job status has been in question all week with several prominent players on the Eagles roster defending the only coach in franchise history to reach the playoffs in his first three seasons.
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On Friday, Philadelphia's owner finally meets with his coaching staff to see if he needs to make a change, or if he'll give his staff another shot to correct a horrid collapse.
Here's everything you need to know before the meeting that could change history in Philadelphia.
How Can Sirianni Save His Job?
Much like Doug Pederson's future after a 4-11-1 season, Sirianni's future in Philadelphia hinges on his plans for the team and how they intend to respond to the end of this year.
If Lurie likes his plan, there's a good chance that the current staff is safe (kind of). If not, the Eagles could very well part ways with their winningest coach and look for new leadership.
A lot hinges on the plan of quarterback Jalen Hurts, and how the offense will adapt to a lackluster season in which reports cited Sirianni "meddling" in the play-calling process. Getting Hurts back to the MVP candidate he was in 2022 will be an important piece of this coaching puzzle.
On resume alone, Philadelphia's head coach is deserving of a fourth season with the team - regardless of how this year ended. Despite that, with the heightened expectations built from the previous year, the issue of how the Eagles faltered in 2023 is a far more pressing matter.
Sirianni must have a plan that Lurie likes, or it could be the end in Philadelphia.
Howie To The Rescue?
Before Lurie meets with Sirianni, it's clear that the Eagles were going to be on the lookout for new play-callers and coordinators - particularly on the defensive side.
General manager Howie Roseman has already begun to try and help Sirianni in that regard by reaching out to coaching agents and contacts to see if they can interview potential staff members.
Remember, part of Sirianni's pitch for 2024 has to be bringing in coaches who will make sure the end of this season doesn't happen again.
With Roseman and Sirianni both looking at different candidates, it's an early sign that Philadelphia's head coach is willing to change his system and ways to better fit his team - something his predecessor did not do in 2020.
A willingness to change what has worked in the past is a sure sign that Sirianni could be given another chance in 2024.
What Players Have Said
“I was asked that question the other day about that and what’d I say? I didn’t know that was a thing. I had no idea that was a thing, so I don’t see why that would be the case. We plan on fixing everything that we’ve done and growing together, coach Sirianni, (offensive coordinator) Brian (Johnson), everyone," Jalen Hurts said regarding where the team goes.
“C'mon, man. What is there to talk about? This man is a winner. He’s a winner HC. Did we have some bumps this year? Yeah. But every team goes through it. But we don’t look at firing a man who has won 10+ games two years in a row and made the playoffs three years in a row. Have some respect. He’s a good leader for this team, and he does a really good job," Fletcher Cox stated.
"I don't understand that (talk of firing the coach). He's taken us to the playoffs for three consecutive years. He's taken us to the Super Bowl last year. That's gotta account for something. He's a hell of a coach. Hell of a coach. I feel stupid saying that, how did we get there?" Jordan Mailata said.
Has Lurie Already Made His Decision?
Before we wonder if Sirianni is safe or not, are we sure that Lurie hasn't already made his decision?
In today's NFL, the top head coaching candidates are plucked right away with teams that make coaching changes late usually behind the 8-ball. If Lurie wanted to make a coaching change, he would have already met with Sirianni and dismissed him to get started on the process.
The fact that Philadelphia's owner was spotted in Saint Martin per SI's own Ed Kracz, tells everyone that Lurie isn't looking to make major coaching changes just yet.
Lurie has yet to comment on the team's slide this season, and may eventually in the long run. But if he was going to decide on changing his head coach, one would think it already would have happened by now.
That, in the end, could be the deciding piece at the moment.
