Sirianni’s Stubborn Stance: Why the 2025 Eagles Are Sticking with a Sinking Ship
Another week, another mind-numbing offensive performance from the Philadelphia Eagles. After jumping out to a 21-0 lead against the Cowboys, the offense decided to take the rest of the day off, failing to score another point in a soul-crushing 24-21 loss. You’d think a collapse of that magnitude, against a division rival no less, would trigger some sort of emergency meeting. A shake-up. A scapegoat, even. But no.
When asked if he’d consider stripping offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo of his play-calling duties, Head Coach Nick Sirianni offered a response as inspiring as a three-and-out: “No, I haven’t.” It’s the kind of loyalty that’s admirable in a friend but downright infuriating in a head coach whose high-powered offense suddenly can’t find the end zone.
Is Nick Sirianni All Talk and No Action?
Sirianni followed up his firm “no” with a masterclass in coach-speak. “We are always looking for answers,” he claimed. “It’s every piece of the puzzle. Coaching, playing, execution, scheme, everything.” It’s a classic non-answer, a verbal shrug that spreads the blame so thin it practically disappears. But let’s be real. When your offense, loaded with Pro Bowl talent, evaporates after three drives, it’s not just “everything.” It’s a systemic failure, and the guy calling the plays is a pretty good place to start the investigation.
This isn’t Sirianni’s first rodeo with coordinator drama. He’s demoted a play-caller before. Remember when he handed the reins to Shane Steichen in 2021, and the offense took off? Or last season’s desperate swap of Sean Desai for Matt Patricia, a move that backfired spectacularly? Sirianni has shown he’s willing to pull the trigger. So, what makes this time different? Why the sudden allegiance to Patullo, whose offense has sputtered and stalled for three straight games, scoring a paltry 10, 16, and 21 points? It’s a head-scratcher.
What’s Really Wrong with the Eagles’ Offense?
To be fair, Sirianni’s “it’s not just one thing” mantra isn’t entirely wrong. The offensive line, once the gold standard, looks like a shell of its former self. Injuries have taken a toll, and key players are underperforming. Saquon Barkley, brought in to be a game-changer, has been inconsistent. Even former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles chimed in, calling the Eagles’ route trees “simplistic.” It’s a damning critique from a guy who knows a thing or two about what it takes to win in Philly. The entire operation seems “off,” as if the team is playing with the handbrake on.
But the play-calling has been particularly uninspired. The Eagles went scoreless on their final eight drives against Dallas. Eight! Against a defense that’s hardly the ’85 Bears. They became predictable, conservative, and frankly, boring to watch. Sirianni’s decision to essentially kneel with 17 seconds and timeouts left before halftime, holding a 21-7 lead, speaks volumes. The aggressive, point-hungry Eagles of yesteryear are gone, replaced by a team that seems afraid of its own shadow.
Is It Time for Lurie to Step In?
So, Sirianni is standing by his man. What now? The Eagles are 8-3 and still hold the second seed in the NFC, but does anyone in Philadelphia feel good about this team’s chances? They feel more like a 3-8 team stumbling through the season. This is where owner Jeffrey Lurie might need to earn his paycheck. He’s not one to sit idly by while a championship window closes. This roster is too talented to be wasted on stubborn loyalty and unimaginative game plans.
Sirianni might not want to point fingers, but accountability has to start somewhere. Patullo may be a “great dude,” as Foles suggested, but he’s not getting the job done. The Eagles have other coaches with play-calling experience on staff. Why not give one of them a shot? What’s the worst that could happen? Scoring fewer than zero points in the final three quarters? It’s time for Sirianni to stop searching for abstract “answers” and make a real one for my sanity. Because right now, his refusal to make a change looks less like leadership and more like a coach in denial, steering his team straight toward a one-and-done playoff exit.
