The Philadelphia Eagles, fresh off their second Super Bowl victory in franchise history, stand atop the NFL as world champions. Yet, despite their triumph, head coach Nick Sirianni and quarterback Jalen Hurts still feel the sting of being overlooked and underestimated. While Sirianni has begun to earn his due as a top-tier coach, Hurts continues to face a narrative that diminishes his role as the Eagles’ franchise quarterback—a narrative Sirianni passionately rejects as “total BS.”
Nick Sirianni, once viewed as a second-tier head coach, has silenced doubters with a remarkable run. Since taking the helm in Philadelphia, he’s led the Eagles to the playoffs and a Super Bowl appearance in 2023, culminating in a championship ring in 2024. His strategic brilliance, once questioned, is now celebrated, with recent NBC and CBS rankings placing him among the NFL’s top five head coaches. The former Colts offensive coordinator has proven his mettle, earning respect in media circles and beyond. But for Sirianni, the lack of similar recognition for his quarterback, Jalen Hurts, is a personal affront.
Despite his pivotal role in the Eagles’ success, Jalen Hurts remains undervalued. In a recent ESPN poll of head coaches and executives, Hurts was ranked as the ninth-best quarterback in the NFL, trailing behind names like Justin Herbert and Jared Goff—quarterbacks with just one combined playoff win with their current teams. The perception that Hurts is merely a “game manager” propped up by a stellar roster, meticulously constructed by future Hall of Fame GM Howie Roseman, has fueled debate. And Sirianni isn’t having it.
“That’s bull—,” Sirianni snapped, per NBC Sports, when confronted with the notion that Hurts is carried by his team. “Anytime I hear that, it’s cool—it’s like a nice debate thing that people like to have. I get it, there’s a lot of hours that TV shows and radio stations have to fill. But we’re talking about the ultimate team game, and he does whatever he needs to do to win each and every game.”
Sirianni’s frustration stems from a fundamental truth about football: no one wins alone. “You name me a team that wins consistently that doesn’t have good players around you,” he challenged. “You don’t win with bad players, whether you’re a coach or a quarterback. It’s a team game.” For Sirianni, the narrative surrounding Hurts ignores the collaborative nature of football, where success hinges on the synergy between players at every position.
He doubled down, emphasizing the historical connection between great quarterbacks and their supporting casts. “You name great quarterbacks, and I’ll tell you their great receivers and their great defenses,” Sirianni said. “Brady had Gronkowski and those defenses. Mahomes has Kelce. Steve Young had Jerry Rice. The list goes on.” For Sirianni, Hurts’ success is not diminished by his talented teammates—it’s amplified by them, just as it is for any elite quarterback.
While Hurts may not always need to sling the ball 40 times a game—like in the Eagles’ 28-3 rout of the Giants, where he threw just 14 passes—he’s proven he can dominate when it matters most. In high-pressure moments against the NFL’s fiercest defenses in 2022 and 2024, Hurts has delivered time and again. He’s not Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen, but as a Super Bowl-winning quarterback, his resume speaks for itself.
Sirianni’s defense of Hurts isn’t just about loyalty—it’s about recognizing a player who embodies the heart of the Eagles’ championship run. “One of the reasons I love football so much is that it takes everybody to accomplish your goals,” Sirianni said. For him, Hurts is the linchpin of that collective effort, a quarterback who deserves far more than a ninth-place ranking.
As the Eagles bask in their championship glory, Sirianni’s fiery defense of Hurts sends a clear message: the narrative of Hurts as a “game manager” is not just inaccurate—it’s disrespectful. With a Super Bowl ring and a track record of clutch performances, Jalen Hurts has earned his place among the NFL’s elite. And if the media or fans won’t give him his flowers, Nick Sirianni is ready to fight for them.