The Philadelphia Eagles were the breakout NFL team in 2022, reaching the Super Bowl with Nick Sirianni generating buzz as one of the rising up-and-comers in football. Less than a year later, Sirianni could become one of the next head coaches fired.
Philadelphia looked like the best team in the NFL last season, coming within one big play of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. However, the success came at a cost with offensive coordinator Shane Steichen and defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon leaving for head-coaching jobs.
- Nick Sirianni coaching record by season: 9-8 (2021), 14-3 (2022), 11-6 (2023)
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The Eagles’ coaching staff was overhauled, with Brian Johnson promoted to offensive coordinator and Sean Desai brought in as defensive coordinator. While Philadelphia was winning games, both its offense and defense were underperforming. It led to Sirianni making a change, demoting Desai and handing over defensive play-calling to Matt Patricia.
Philadelphia collapsed late in the regular season. The Eagles dropped from 10-1 to 11-6, ending the season with losses to the Arizona Cardinals. Now, rumors are swirling that Sirianni could be fired if Philadelphia is knocked out of the playoffs early. While a move like that would typically raise eyebrows around the NFL believe it would be a justified firing.
Speaking to Jason La Canfora of The Washington Post, one NFL general manager shared his belief that a bad loss in the NFL playoffs could get Sirianni fired. He also doesn’t believe it would be an overreaction, citing coaching decisions that baffled him and others around the league this season.
“I think they would. They’re obsessed with winning. Howie [Roseman] and that owner are always trying to get better. The staff is getting picked apart, and some of the [stuff] Sirianni says makes me shake my head. There’s going to be some tough conversations coming”
Anonymous NFL general manager on whether or not the Philadelphia Eagles would fire Nick Sirianni
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Sirianni walked into a great situation, with Eagles’ general manager Howie Roseman building one of the best rosters in football. However, the departure of his defensive and offensive play-callers has led to major regression and Sirianni has lost control of the locker room.
Typically, any head coach of a team that reached the Super Bowl the previous year would be scooped up immediately if they were fired. However, that same general manager believes Sirianni will struggle to find a second gig because his style would cause problems with other owners.
“If it comes to a head, Sirianni probably thinks he could get another job the next day. But, man, I really don’t think he would. He’s not the kind of guy who’s going to click with every owner. That’s not going to play with everybody, the things he says and how he presents himself. I’m not so sure he’d get one.”
Anonymous NFL GM on if Nick Sirianni could land another NFL head-coaching job if fired
If Sirianni is fired, Philadelphia will almost certainly go with an outside candidate to replace him. As for the Eagles’ current head coach, it’s possible his ties to Matt Eberflus could make him an offensive coordinator candidate for the Chicago Bears.