Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni looks on during the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers in an NFC Wild Card Round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Eagles HC Nick Sirianni downplays tense interaction with A.J. Brown in loss to 49ers

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jan 11, 2026 8:16 PM ET

Tempers flared between Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown and head coach Nick Sirianni in the NFC wild-card round on Sunday.

FOX cameras spotted Sirianni screaming at Brown after he dropped a pass late in the first half of Philadelphia's game against the San Francisco 49ers. The two then exchanged words before Eagles security officer Dom DiSandro stepped in and separated them.

FOX Sports reporter Erin Andrews discussed the incident with Sirianni during halftime of Sunday's game. The coach downplayed the tiff.

Nick Sirianni discusses sideline interaction with A.J. Brown

"Emotions, they run high — especially in the playoffs," Andrews relayed (h/t Pro Football Talk's Josh Alper). "Of course, after this game, we'll go back to loving each other. But look, this is just the way it is. We're just fine, thanks."

Another look at the exchange between AJ Brown and HC Nick Sirianni on the sideline. pic.twitter.com/Syn0hr0MFK
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 11, 2026

But are they just fine?

A.J. Brown has had multiple incidents this season

Despite winning a Super Bowl during the 2024 season, Brown hasn't seemed happy in Philadelphia. After a 31-25 Week 4 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brown carped about his pedestrian stats in a cryptic tweet, which he later deleted.

Then, in November, Brown once again complained about his role in the offense on a stream with social media personality JankyRondo. Sirianni clearly didn't want to answer questions about it.

The constant Brown drama may be frustrating the coach. However, losing his cool on Sunday didn't help matters.

"I don't understand why Sirianni's running down there and yelling at A.J. Brown," Fox Sports analyst Michael Strahan said at halftime (h/t The Athletic's Saad Yousuf). "You know A.J. Brown wanted to get involved in this game, I'm pretty sure. Hadn't seen the ball. They took two big shots with him and didn't catch either one.

"[Maybe] Brown said, 'Get me a shot,' and the coach said, 'OK, you had your chance, you better catch the ball next time.' But I don't understand why you do that in the middle of a game like this, because I don't think it brings out the best in your players. I think it takes away from your play. I think it takes away from the energy of the team."

Pundits will continue to question Sirianni's approach after Philadelphia's 23-19 loss to the Niners. After the incident, Brown had no catches. The WR finished with three receptions for 25 yards.

It will also raise more questions about Brown and Philadelphia. The playoff disaster may continue to sour the WR's relationship with the Eagles.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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