Nick Sirianni had the lamest excuse for his QB flip-flop

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Nick Sirianni had the lamest excuse for his QB flip-flop

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Nov 6, 2026 12:51 PM ET

Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni is drawing derision for his excuse after seemingly backtracking on his choice of starting quarterback.

Sirianni announced Thursday that Joe Milton will start instead of Tanner McKee in Week 9 against the New York Giants. The move comes despite the fact that the coach publicly said McKee would remain his starter earlier in the week.

On Friday, Sirianni claimed he had lied earlier in the week because he wanted to keep the Giants on their toes.

“I was going to hold onto that as long as I possibly could,” Sirianni said. “I’m going to tell you what I want to tell you guys, because I’m always going to protect the team first and foremost. Every second that goes by in a situation like that that you can hold onto the information as long as you possibly can is a little less time for the opponent to get ready for the game.”

#Eagles HC Nick Sirianni was pressed as to why he said Tanner McKee is his starter earlier in the week only for there to be a change to Joe Milton. He implies he did that on purpose to try to confuse the Giants: "I’m gonna tell you what I want to tell you guys." https://t.co/efffisEXLB
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 6, 2026

Perhaps Sirianni is telling the truth, but it comes across as evasive. One could even argue that Sirianni had a change of heart and is trying to act like this was the plan all along. It also doesn’t help that Sirianni has been accused of not being entirely forthcoming before this, either.

Perhaps this is a tactic that the Eagles embrace, considering some of their ex-coaches have employed it elsewhere. Whether it actually helps or not is another question entirely.

More must-reads: