Eagles players defend Nick Sirianni after latest controversy

Earlier this week, former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce defended head coach Nick Sirianni after he chirped at fans in the stands late in Philadelphia's 20-16 win over the Cleveland Browns last Sunday. 

Sirianni's current players largely echoed Kelce's takes while speaking with Cayden Steele of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com ahead of this Sunday's game between the 3-2 Eagles and 2-4 New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.

"I love [the way he acted after the Browns game] because there’s a lot of fans out here that don’t know football," running back Kenneth Gainwell said about Sirianni apparently responding to fans who booed during the home victory over Cleveland. "But sometimes when your coach does things like that, then the players see that and it’s not being a leader. Most guys wouldn’t like it. But at the same time, it’s like, 'Coach, be yourself.' If that’s how you want to be, you can’t criticize him for doing that." 

Sirianni reportedly upset Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie last fall when the coach taunted opposing fans after a "Monday Night Football" victory. More recently, supposed issues between Sirianni and quarterback Jalen Hurts generated headlines that have hovered over the organization since this past summer. 

Hurts insisted shortly after the Week 6 win against the Browns that he had encouraged Sirianni "to be himself." Safety Sydney Brown told Steele he loves Sirianni's "passion for this game" and playing for the coach. 

"What people get twisted is when you attack somebody enough, they’re going to respond. I’d do the same thing," Brown explained. "Everybody in this locker room would do the same thing. I love the (expletive) talk. I love what he was doing. I’d be doing the same (expletive) thing. I don’t see anything wrong with it. I respect everything that he’s doing." 

Linebacker Nakobe Dean said he's "100 percent" behind Sirianni. Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers said he gets "fired up" by Sirianni's antics. Running back Will Shipley praised Sirianni for having "the courage to never stop, to never bat an eye." 

As of Friday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Eagles fourth among the betting favorites at +750 odds to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LIX. If the club goes on a run that lasts through that February championship game, perhaps Philadelphia players will view this week as when the 2024 team came together like never before. 

"There’s a time and place for all of it," offensive guard Mekhi Becton added about Sirianni's actions. "I don’t have no problem with it. It doesn’t bother me at all. He is definitely a trash-talker. He’s a competitor. He’ll talk trash to you, for sure."

On Friday, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Eagles as 3.5-point favorites over the Giants.