The pressure is on Jalen Hurts and Nick Sirianni to get the Philadelphia Eagles back on track.
Philadelphia entered its Week 5 bye at 2-2 after a 33-16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Since following a Super Bowl appearance by starting last season 10-1, the Eagles have dropped eight of their last 11 games. Hurts said he and his head coach used the off week to get on the same page.
On Wednesday, the quarterback told reporters that he and Sirianni shared some “great moments” together during the bye.
“We’re the two leaders of the team,” Hurts said, per NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Dave Zangaro. “I’m happy and fortunate that we were able to come together in harmony and have the same goal in mind, trying to get this thing right. I got a ton of confidence in him, a ton of confidence in what he brings and everything he’s been able to accomplish.”
Hurts described their bonding as “something that just happened” and said the Eagles will “continue to press on” following an underwhelming start.
“Everybody goes through different moments,” Hurts added. “Everybody experiences adversity, but we’ve experienced different levels of adversity together. We’re excited for what’s to come.”
The relationship between Hurts and Sirianni has remained a constant source of public questioning since ESPN wrote about a supposed divide between them in August. In contrast to Hurts’ recent claim, the article said the quarterback and coach had some “tense moments” during the 2023 season.
Hurts and Sirianni have since downplayed any strife, but the offense hasn’t met expectations thus far. The 26-year-old has an 85.7 quarterback rating with as many touchdowns as interceptions (four).
Disgruntled fans called for Sirianni’s job after the Eagles surrendered two fumbles and allowed 6.0 yards per play in a Week 4 blowout loss. But Hurts expressed optimism in his team using the extra week productively.
“I think this was probably, I’d say, one of the most efficient bye weeks I’ve been a part of in my career,” Hurts said. “Just being able to, like I said, share those moments and talk through some things and build.”
The Eagles will face another team in dire need of a win, the Cleveland Browns, this Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
