Things are coming apart quickly for the Philadelphia Eagles.
After a promising — but at times frustrating — 10-1 start to the season, the Eagles have lost three straight games to the 49ers, Cowboys, and Seahawks. The recent embarrassing loss to the Seahawks has exposed the Eagles for what they truly are: a fraudulent football team. And now, everyone in Philadelphia is under fire, from the coordinators to Jalen Hurts and head coach Nick Sirianni.
MORE: Jalen Hurts questioning the Eagles’ ‘commitment’ after Seahawks loss is the wrong move.
On Wednesday, Sirianni spoke to the media to answer questions about the disastrous Seahawks loss. And Philadelphia fans looking for reassuring comments about the team’s future will have to go elsewhere, because Sirianni made quite the baffling comment that had many in the NFL scratching their heads.
During the Eagles’ final drive against the Seahawks, Hurts was picked off looking for A.J. Brown down the field in what was ultimately the game-losing interception. The decision was perplexing to begin with, as short gains in the dying seconds could have set the Eagles up for a game-tying field goal.
Instead, according to Sirianni, Hurts tossed that deep ball to Brown because they were playing for a defensive pass interference flag. Huh?
Nick Sirianni said the Eagles were trying to play for a defensive pass interference on Jalen Hurts' deep shot to A.J. Brown at the end of the Seahawks game. Sirianni said he's comfortable with the play call despite the INT.
"We felt like in that situation we had an opportunity…
— Josh Tolentino (@JCTSports) December 20, 2023
The generous read here is that Sirianni is covering for Hurts’ mistake in targeting Brown when a shorter pass would have been the correct play. Still, it’s never a good sign when the head coach admits he was scheming for a flag instead of, I don’t know, trying to win the football game.
NFL fans, to their credit, didn’t hold back in their criticisms of Sirianni for the bewildering quote.
i guess the generous reading is that he's trying to take the fall instead of hurts? but still lol https://t.co/GOfhjrUseG
— Natalie Weiner (@natalieweiner) December 20, 2023
Playing for a flag to win the game, it’s over. https://t.co/Mh61w90bYD
— Victor Williams (@ThePhillyPod) December 20, 2023
You have Hurts, AJ, Devonta and Goedert… your idea is to chuck one and pray for a penalty???? https://t.co/zWbxSiZpGO
— Kyle Quinn (@Kyle_QuinnWIP) December 20, 2023
This is one of the times where I think Siranni would just be better off lying. https://t.co/a3nDvE1hTD
— Josh Jurnovoy (@joshjurnovoy) December 20, 2023
Playing for the flag is certainly something. https://t.co/NxPPot5iBq
— Zachary Grier (@zgrier24) December 20, 2023
You never want to play for a flag https://t.co/2cxjWYhqNP
— Peter (@owpji) December 20, 2023
My gut is Sirianni is just protecting Hurts from his awful decision. Because if this is actually true, we have bigger issues than just a QB being greedy at the most inopportune time. https://t.co/zcDFJ81yC7
— Patrick (@PhillyPMC) December 20, 2023
Legitimately can’t believe he said this out loud. https://t.co/GxINbTFGX3
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) December 20, 2023
please stop talking, stop letting him talk @eagles, stop making him talk @nfl https://t.co/f6c4hXUtSP
— Mike (@85mf) December 20, 2023
