The media was wrong about Nick Sirianni — we all were. As Rich Eisen put it, following a disappointing 2023 season, the only supporters of Sirianni were the players. Speculations suggested he would be fired only for Bill Belichick, but an early playoff exit ignited further scrutiny as the 2024 season approached. Colin Cowherd revived this theory shortly after Christmas, as anticipation built.
In any case, the murmurs regarding Sirianni’s job security intensified, provoking continued calls for his firing. And why wouldn’t they? Sirianni’s perplexing decision to pass instead of running out the clock against the Atlanta Falcons, coupled with Saquon Barkley’s baffling drop, gift-wrapped that loss. His team was overwhelmed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, narrowly defeated the New Orleans Saints, and struggled against a Cleveland Browns squad that stumbled repeatedly.
After all this, he heckled his own fans, embodying a true ‘clown‘ persona. Sirianni faced rightful scrutiny for allegedly using his kids as a “shield” during the ensuing backlash, a claim he denied — a denial the media largely disregarded.
Eagles fans hadn’t needed the media’s input — a quick listen to 94WIP in mid-October confirmed everyone was calling for his dismissal. A head coach with a Super Bowl appearance was on the verge of being discarded. This was a franchise that has previously fired a coach with a statue outside Lincoln Financial Field and moved on from Andy Reid. Bill Simmons was poised to offer him a podcast on The Ringer, while Cowherd’s podcast co-host, John Middlekauff, labeled him a “borderline lock” to be gone in 2025, with the consensus being that he “would not be the coach next year.” Fair enough, Cowherd’s quick takes notwithstanding, but the narrative has aged poorly. Just months prior, he had predicted Sirianni’s demise with an expiration date, claiming he had “no chance” to remain with The Birds.
Dan Orlovsky later acknowledged he was wrong about Sirianni, stating, “I definitely think you have to give him credit. I think he’s grown a lot throughout this season — for this team. The first six weeks featured many questionable decisions — taking points off the board and being overly aggressive.”
But was Orlovsky’s admission representative of the broader sports media? Michael Lombardi questioned Sirianni’s decision-making, while Dan Patrick argued he didn’t present himself like a head coach. Understandably, as the Eagles were unraveling and Sirianni appeared lost, facing embarrassing defeats weekly. The media not only conveyed the frustrations of Eagles fans but amplified them, until everything shifted.
Following his head shave, the Eagles began to win. The analysts who had spent months predicting his downfall grew quieter, with many retracting their earlier criticisms. The narrative pivoted not due to a change of heart but because the standings demanded it. Sirianni didn’t argue or plead; he simply continued to win.
Even if he doesn’t secure a ring this weekend, he holds a commendable record of 48-20 over four seasons. Doubts have dogged Sirianni since day one. His initial press conference was deemed a disaster, yet he flipped a 2-5 start into a playoff berth in his first season. The subsequent year, he achieved historical success with 14 wins, an NFC Championship, and a Super Bowl appearance. It wasn’t a one-off; he replicated that success with another 14-win season, triumphing over the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round and dominating the Washington Commanders in the NFC title game.
The narrative has proven fallible. The same voices that had buried him midseason are now absent, silenced by his relentless winning. Does the media warrant all the blame? Not entirely; Sirianni certainly played a role in his challenges. In a results-driven league, his team’s struggles stemmed partly from two questionable coordinator hires. He eventually secured Vic Fangio and Kellen Moore, who may be on the move post-Super Bowl, placing Sirianni in the position of having to hire his third offensive coordinator since Shane Steichen left for Indianapolis.
The Ringer reviewed all pivotal moments of Sirianni’s Eagles tenure. In truth, without that turbulence, the Eagles wouldn’t have made it to New Orleans. Surely, some argue Sirianni deserved more than just four games to rectify things after a failed season. However, the fans aren’t without blame; Philly’s fanbase is infamous for turning on someone when challenges arise, and the media echoed those same concerns.
Where were the Eagles fans defending one of their own? Despite Sirianni’s controversial maneuvers, he remained one of them. “No one likes us, we don’t care” transcends mere slogan; it embodies a mindset. Yet for much of the past 18 months, Sirianni faced unpopularity. Still, he focused, ignored the external noise, and persevered, blocking out distractions and clinching an impressive 11-1 finish to the regular season.
By this Sunday, they hadn’t lost since shortly before Christmas. Consider this: if someone still had their Christmas tree up, it would seem utterly absurd. Sirianni may appear out of his depth at times, but this situation serves as a reminder of the sports media’s fickleness. A coach who was once all but pre-fired by top commentators could very well be hoisting a Lombardi Trophy by the weekend’s end. The media isn’t obligated to be cheerleaders for Sirianni or to envelop him in support, yet he deserves credit, especially when his back was against the wall amidst the bleakest moments.
Ultimately, Nick Sirianni achieved what the media predicted he couldn’t: he persevered. He won. Should he lift the Lombardi Trophy this weekend, all the obituaries and hot takes from midseason will boil down to mere footnotes in a narrative never theirs to write.
