The turmoil never stops with the Philadelphia Eagles.
According to former NFL fullback Michael Robinson, now an analyst on NFL Network, some players on the team are not sold on new head coach Nick Sirianni.
“I’m not going to say any names, but I know some guys in that locker room, they question this guy,” Robinson said on “NFL Total Access” this week “They question whether he can truly lead this team. And me, personally, my personal thoughts on it, is that maybe (Eagles GM) Howie Roseman wanted to put somebody — a yes man — in the head-coaching position, because (former head coach) Doug Pederson didn’t want to do all of the things his way, so he wanted to get a ‘yes man’ there. … At least that’s what it looks like to me.”
The Eagles hired Sirianni after firing Pederson. The nail in the coffin for the former coach was when he decided to bench Jalen Hurts in the fourth quarter of a 20-14 loss in Week 17. The decision did not sit well with Giants head coach Joe Judge — whose team was vying for a playoff spot and needed the Eagles to defeat Washington. Nor, did it sit well with Pederson’s players, who had to be restrained from going after their coach.
However, at least one Philadelphia player seems sold on Sirianni. Right tackle Lane Johnson doesn’t see a “yes man,” in his new coach; instead, he sees someone who can help the team reach their true potential.
“He’s taken great command of the team early on,” Johnson said to ESPN earlier this week. “I think what I appreciate about him the most is he holds everybody accountable. When we go to practice, it doesn’t matter if you’re a veteran or a rookie on the first day. If you’re making mistakes, he’ll push you on the board. Not to call you out, but really to kinda get you better.”
Johnson even took to Twitter to deter Robinson’s bogus claim.
“Say the names then. Enough with the BS hiding. #fakenews,” Johnson tweeted.
Before becoming the Eagles head coach, Sirianni spent time as a positions and offensive quality control coach with both the Kansas City Chiefs (2009-12) and the Los Angeles Chargers (2013-17). He then spent two seasons in Indianapolis as the Colts’ offensive coordinator.
This season will be the first time Sirianni gets to be at the helm. He will look to secure his first-ever win on Sept. 12, against the Falcons.
