PHILADELPHIA — Eagles coach Nick Sirianni, meeting with the media on Wednesday, again blasted reports that coaches and players are “frustrated” with the way quarterback Jalen Hurts runs the offense.
And Hurts later gave his own response.
“When there’s not a name on it, I don’t put a lot of credence into that,” Sirianni, whose Birds are 8-2 and atop the NFC, said at NovaCare Complex before practice. “Obviously, it’s not good for me to read anything. I’ve got to prepare to do my job, and if I’m thinking about other things.
“I don’t necessarily believe everything that’s being written. I just don’t. I’ve been around long enough to know that, so I don’t give it a lot of credence when there’s not a name. Again, just don’t fall into the trap of believing everything you see or read.”
The recent reports — purportedly sourced from members of Sirianni’s own staff (or himself) as well as several players — were by veteran broadcaster Derrick Gunn and The Athletic’s senior NFL journalist Dianna Russini.
They stated that several people within the organization are frustrated with Hurts not running the offense the way it’s designed, not staying within the timing of plays, and foregoing open opportunities downfield — instead opting to play “his game” and play extra safe.
Neither report named its sources.
Sirianni, during a Tuesday radio interview, said he was pleased and “not frustrated” with the way Hurts has been playing, a sentiment offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo later echoed with the media, saying he thought the QB “played well” in Sunday’s win against Detroit.
Three-time Pro Bowl wideout A.J. Brown has been open (no pun intended) about his frustration with the offense — which ranks 25th in the NFL in yards per game (300.1) and 28th in passing (184.9 yards per game) — but it’s unclear if he’s upset with the coaching staff, Hurts or all of the above.
Brown, a team captain who routinely exceeds 1,000 receiving yards (and upwards of 1,400-plus), is on pace for a career-low 812.4 yards this year.
Hurts, who had a turnover problem that spanned multiple months from 2023 to early 2024, addressed the recent reports after Wednesday’s practice.
“I take a lot of the responsibility when things are going — I guess I get a lot of attention when things are going well and when things are not going so well, and so I never run away from holding myself accountable. And I think that’s exactly what I’ve taken the approach of doing.
“Just go to work every day, go to work every day,” Hurts said. “And continue to go out there and try to do my best.
“I take great pride in what we do on offense. I take great pride in how we go out there and play as a team and what our flow is. We’ve obviously got work to do, and that obviously starts with me. That’s always my approach. That’s always me looking internally first in everything that we do, and then in due time rising above.”
Hurts has certainly risen above it all in various moments, including in his two Super Bowl appearances — except for a key fumble in Super Bowl LVII in the 2022 season. He’s the reigning Super Bowl MVP from February in Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.
But two years ago, when the offense struggled under rookie OC Brian Johnson (who was fired), there were similar reports about Hurts. But on Wednesday, Sirianni mostly defended Patullo, who has been at his side since their days in Indianapolis.
“I think he’s done a good job,” Sirianni said. “We’ve found ways to win. We have a lot to improve on. And he’ll tell you he needs to continue to improve. We all need to continue to improve. But I think he’s done a lot of good things and he’s got to continue getting better.”
All-Pro left tackle Jordan Mailata, a team leader and union rep, seemed to offer a rebuke of Hurts, as well his own O-line, on Wednesday: “We are putting ourselves in a pretty predictable down-and-distance when it comes to third down, but that’s because of the way we’re handling the first and second down. We’re not taking care of the business up front. We’re just shooting ourselves in the foot.
“We’ve got to take accountability, first and foremost, in the meetings. But then again, it’s the focus, that attention to detail at practice and in coaching — policing yourself, policing others, being coachable, not taking offense to a teammate that’s coaching you or it’s a coach that’s coaching you.”
A different injury for Jurgens
Center Cam Jurgens, still hobbled by a knee injury, missed Wednesday’s practice because of a concussion. Here’s the full report:
Didn’t practice: RT Lane Johnson (foot), C Jurgens (concussion). EDGE Jaelan Phillips (shoulder) was limited. Full participants were T Myles Hinton (back) and G/C Willie Lampkin (knee/ankle).
Notes
The Eagles will be wearing their Kelly Green uniforms in Dallas on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. It will be the first time they’ve worn the Kelly Green throwbacks on the road. The Cowboys (4-5-1) will be wearing their old traditional white uniforms. … The Eagles are one of only five NFL teams with just two losses (Rams, Broncos, Patriots, Colts). … The Cowboys are third in the league in total offense and 30th in total defense. … Mailata was upset that several Philadelphia restaurants got snubbed for a Michelin star rating Tuesday night at the Kimmel Center reveal, though Her Place Supper Club, Friday Saturday Sunday, and Provenance all were awarded for the first time. “That’s political,” Mailata said. “I’m friends with a lot of good restaurant owners and I’m not gonna name names.”
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Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X at @the_defranc for the latest updates.
Source: Berkshire mont