Eagles' Nick Sirianni, Jalen Hurts address latest report about 'fractured' relationship

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni and quarterback Jalen Hurts can't escape questions about their "fractured" relationship this summer.

On Wednesday, Sirianni and Hurts were asked about the latest report regarding an alleged "prolonged strain" between the two that impacted the Eagles during their collapse last season.

"Jalen and I are in a really great place," Sirianni said, per Liam McKeone of Sports Illustrated. "Every relationship that you have needs work with everybody, and we've always continued to try and work at that."

Sirianni and Hurts offered similar comments in late July after it was revealed that "there was some disconnect" between them last season. More recently, a lengthy piece by ESPN's Tim McManus and Jeremy Fowler, published on Wednesday, claimed that "there was never a moment" as the 2023 Eagles fell from 10-1 to 11-6 that Sirianni and Hurts "were operating in a healthy relationship."

Hurts somewhat danced around the topic while speaking with reporters later on Wednesday.  

"I think sometimes people are only able to know what they understand," Hurts said, as Cayden Steele of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com shared. "Sometimes people don’t know what they don’t know. But in that regard, I think where we are is you have reports, and you have rumors, and then you have reality. And we’re in reality right now…. My natural nature is to block out the external factors because I think there comes a point where sometimes you question so much, and the negativity becomes redundant."

One part of the ESPN story revealed that Hurts called former New York Giants defensive coordinator Don "Wink" Martindale ahead of Philadelphia's wild-card playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past January to discuss "weaknesses in Philadelphia's protection and how New York tried to game-plan him" in Week 16 of the season. That chat didn't prevent the Eagles from suffering a 32-9 defeat at Tampa Bay's Raymond James Stadium.

"I was just trying to pick his brain, see what he saw in us and try to get some tips on some things," Hurts said Wednesday about why he called Martindale shortly after the coordinator had parted ways with the Giants. "I think it’s more so for me trying to continue to pour into my cup in terms of knowledge."

Before the reports about the Sirianni-Hurts relationship surfaced this summer, it was said that the coach's seat "could probably not be hotter" heading into this season. Sirianni could be shown the door if he and Hurts fail to guide the 2024 Eagles to at least one playoff win.