Eagles Rumors: Jalen Hurts, Nick Sirianni Relationship ‘Still a Work in Progress’

As they enter their fourth season together, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and head coach Nick Sirianni are reportedly still working to find common ground.  According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the relationship between Hurts and Sirianni is “still a work in progress” due largely to their differing personalities.

Russini noted that while Sirianni is fiery and emotional, Hurts is more reserved, and it led to there being a “disconnect” between them at times last season.  Sirianni arrived as the team’s new head coach in 2021 following the firing of Doug Pederson, and the decision was made for Hurts to be the team’s starting quarterback after he started four games late in his rookie season in 2020.

What’s going on between Eagles HC Nick Sirianni and QB Jalen Hurts?
🎤More on Scoop City🎤https://t.co/1pjPog6AzB pic.twitter.com/9qmd2CgZxf

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) July 19, 2024

Philly reached the playoffs as a wild-card team in 2021, and then took a huge leap forward the following season.  Hurts’ play was a big reason why, as he completed 66.5 percent of his passes for 3,701 yards, 22 touchdowns and six interceptions, while also rushing for 760 yards and 13 scores.

Hurts was named a Pro Bowler and Second Team All-Pro as a result, and he finished second in the NFL MVP voting. Philadelphia reached the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a record of 14-3 and made it all the way to the Super Bowl where it fell to the Kansas City Chiefs in a dramatic back-and-forth contest.

The team—and Hurts—took a step back last season. He completed 65.4 percent of his attempts for 3,858 yards, 23 touchdowns and a career-high 15 picks, while rushing for 605 yards and 15 scores.  Philadelphia finished 11-6 and lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs.

The Eagles started the season 10-1, but they dropped five of their final six games, lost the NFC East to the Dallas Cowboys and got crushed 32-9 in their playoff game.  Since the Eagles made a long-term commitment to Hurts by signing him to a five-year, $255 million contract extension last year, any shortcomings in 2024 will likely fall on Sirianni, and it could cost him his job if the Eagles don’t bounce back to the degree that is expected.