For all the noise about Eagles’ head coach Nick Sirianni this season, as the team secured their third win in a row coming out of the bye week, fans are starting to soften their “Fire Nick” chants. And while the fans, and media, always have an opinion, the group that truly matters, his players, have never waivered in their support of the head coach.
Saquon Barkley sat down with The Pivot Podcast following his huge game against the Giants, and explained how he came to Philly a little hesitant about working with the head coach who had previously taunted the Giants in what became a pretty epic meme from the 2022 postseason. Despite his reservations, Barkley said, “[Sirianni] blew me away.”
He had heard about the back and forth Sirianni had with fans the week prior, and while he doesn’t know what was said, Barkley explained how they encouraged the head coach to be authentic. The RB noted that this business is about wins and losses, so as long as the team is feeding off Sirianni’s energy, and they’re winning, the head coach isn’t going to be fired for being himself.
“He’s an open-door policy. He’s a guy that I could pick up my phone at any time and call him. And, he calls me, and we can have those conversations. He’s always seeing what he can do better, I’m always asking what I can do better.
And, he listens, too. Like, if I have an opinion or something, like I think this, or A.J. [Brown] thinks this, or Lane [Johnson] says this, he’s open for it.”
Barkley admitted that Sirianni doesn’t just blindly take the advice and recommendations from players, but being able to collaborate and talk about things, is appreciated.
“He’s so passionate about the game. He loves the game, and he’s passionate about his team. He’s passionate about his people.”
The RB went on to reveal that Sirianni got a lot of flack for bringing his kids up to the podium in what looked like an attempt to deflect some criticism a few weeks ago, but in reality, the head coach had been preaching “humble, hungry, and family” all week. That was his message heading into the Browns game, and so regardless of outcome, Sirianni’s kids were always going to be up there with him.
“He’s very passionate. He truly cares about people, he cares about this game, and I’m happy that he’s our head coach.”
Sirianni is always going to be the lightning rod for this team. He has proven time and again that he has no qualms being the scapegoat when there are mistakes or bad performances. But, with his players’ supporting him on and off the field, and having strung three wins in a row, from the outside, at least, Sirianni looks more credible each week.
