Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni has reportedly embraced what’s been referred to as “more of a CEO-type/global role” as quarterback Jalen Hurts, new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and new quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier assume control of the club’s offense.
Sirianni offered quite a statement regarding the team’s dynamics ahead of Philadelphia’s regular-season opener versus the Green Bay Packers that will take place in Brazil on Friday evening.
“Jalen is at the forefront, and this is his team,” Sirianni recently declared, as shared by Chris Franklin of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. “He’s a captain and the quarterback. He touches the ball every play.”
Criticisms of Hurts’ leadership style that first arose during the team’s collapse late last season have since been overshadowed by multiple reports released this summer that described how his relationship with Sirianni allegedly became “‘fractured’ and unhealthy” as the 2023 Eagles lost six of their last seven games (including a wild-card playoff matchup). The perception exists that general manager Howie Roseman essentially forced Moore and Nussmeier on Sirianni only after the organization reportedly expressed some interest in former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.
Belichick may or may not have turned the Eagles down but nevertheless continues to be linked with them as he prepares to make his hoped-for return to coaching next year.
Hurts is taking more responsibility at the line of scrimmage this season following the retirement of future Hall of Fame center Jason Kelce. Kelce said earlier this week that he thinks Hurts is “going to be more of a leader and needs to be more of a leader” moving forward.
“There were a lot of similar coaching points this year that I made to him as in previous years,” Sirianni added about Hurts. “Since he’s the one touching the ball every play, he has to make sure everybody is on the same page. While some guys do have the same roles as last year, it’s crucial that everyone knows their role.”
As of Thursday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Eagles as two-point favorites for Friday’s clash with the Packers. One can only guess how Hurts and Sirianni will react if Philadelphia suffers a brutal Week 1 defeat in Sao Paulo.