The Philadelphia Eagles and head coach Nick Sirianni entered the 2024 season with a lot of pressure on them. Philadelphia won two of its first three games of the year, but a close game against the New Orleans Saints last Sunday and a late collapse in Week 2 have not silenced some of Sirianni's critics.
Former Eagles defensive lineman Chris Long is among the critics who have expressed doubts about Sirianni's decision-making process during key moments in NFL games.
During a recent appearance on the Scoop City podcast, Long mentioned Sirianni's choices in fourth-down situations in recent games against the Falcons and Saints.
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Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni during the first half of a game against the Green Bay Packers at Neo Quimica Arena on September 6, 2024 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Kirby Lee Images)
“What I'd say is, all of a sudden in a game where it's a defensive battle, we can't afford to take three points,” Long said.
“They're going to value possession and in those situations I thought it was better to get the early points against Atlanta and New Orleans.”
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Long said he has high praise for Sirianni, but added that he questions whether the head coach has a good grasp of “the flow of the game” at all times.
“I like Nick. I think Nick's done a good job. No, I really do. Right now he's under a lot of scrutiny in a way because of the decisions he's making. He's not even dictating the flow of the game. So that's the way I play. I have to feel the flow of the game myself.”
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni reacts during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Lincoln Financial Field on September 16, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. (Bill Streacher-Imagn Images)
Despite some mistakes during the game, a 15-12 win over the Saints on the road likely prevented some of the noise surrounding Sirianni from building up.
Long also noted that the group of players Sirianni is currently coaching is much different than the group of players he coached during the 2022 season when the Eagles reached the Super Bowl.
“You show him a mirror and you want him to look in it. This isn't the team that went to the Super Bowl two years ago and scored 40 points a game. It's definitely not like yesterday,” Long said. “Sometimes you've got to get a layup. And when you have Saquon Barkley, sometimes you've got to give him the ball. Sometimes a three-yard gain turns into 70.”
Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Chris Long (56) stands on the sideline during a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Arlington, Texas, USA. (Matthew Emmons-USA Today Sports)
Sirianni led Philadelphia to an NFC title and an appearance in Super Bowl LVII, but the Eagles fell apart late last season, losing five of their final six games and suffering a blowout loss in the wild-card round of the playoffs.
Eagles officials decided to keep Sirianni but fired their offensive and defensive coordinators.
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The Eagles will look to continue their winning trajectory with a trip to Florida on Sept. 29 to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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