Nick Sirianni Fires Back: Jalen Hurts Criticism is "Bulls---"
Share this post
Eagles Coach Fires Back at Critics with Strong Defense of Super Bowl MVP
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni isn't mincing words when it comes to defending his Super Bowl-winning quarterback. In a recent interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia, Sirianni delivered a blunt response to those who criticize Jalen Hurts as merely a "game manager" or someone who simply benefited from elite talent around him.
"That's bullsh--," Sirianni said when asked about the criticism surrounding his quarterback's role in the Eagles' championship run.
The Numbers Don't Tell the Whole Story
The criticism of Hurts has persisted despite his impressive track record and recent Super Bowl triumph. Hurts is 46-20 as a starter, with a winning record in each of the four seasons where he was the starting QB. However, critics have focused on his 2024-25 regular season statistics, which showed a decline in passing attempts and yards compared to previous seasons.
Last season, Hurts threw for just 2,903 yards with 18 passing touchdowns, while adding 14 rushing touchdowns largely aided by the team's signature "tush push" play. These numbers represented a statistical step back for Hurts, who only attempted 361 regular season passes compared to 538 and 460 in the previous two campaigns.
Context Matters in Team Success
Sirianni emphasized that the reduction in Hurts' passing statistics was a natural result of having elite talent like Saquon Barkley, who broke the 2,000-yard rushing mark in 2024-25. The coach stressed that football success requires adapting to what the team needs to win, not chasing individual statistics.
"We're talking about the ultimate team game there is and he does whatever he needs to do to win each and every game," Sirianni explained. "What I admire about him is his selflessness of doing anything we need to do to win."
Historical Perspective on Championship Quarterbacks
To further defend his quarterback, Sirianni drew comparisons to other legendary quarterbacks who succeeded with strong supporting casts. "You name great quarterbacks, you can go ahead and start naming great quarterbacks. I'll tell you their great receivers and their great defense. Whether it's Brady with (Rob) Gronkowski or Brady's defenses, Mahomes with (Travis) Kelce, Steve Young with Jerry Rice."
The coach challenged critics to find any championship team that wasn't built with quality players across the roster, arguing that the "game manager" label misses the fundamental nature of football as a team sport.
Super Bowl Performance Speaks Volumes
Hurts' performance in the Eagles' dominant victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX provided a strong counter-narrative to his critics. In the Eagles drubbing of the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, Hurts threw for 221 yards, two touchdowns and one interception while completing 17 of 22 passes.
The performance earned him Super Bowl MVP honors and demonstrated his ability to perform at the highest level when it mattered most. Hurts was in full control of the offense on the biggest night of his career, regardless of the tools he had surrounding him.
Media Narrative vs. Reality
Sirianni acknowledged that the criticism serves a purpose for sports media but questioned its validity. "I get it, there's a lot of hours that TV shows and radio stations have to fill to be able to fill that debate. I understand that, but we're talking about the ultimate team game there is," he said.
The coach suggested that Super Bowl titles have a way of inoculating quarterbacks from nitpicks about their game, so the scrutiny that Hurts faced before February's win in New Orleans may now be directed to others who haven't been able to reach the top of the NFL mountain.
For Sirianni, the debate ultimately comes down to results, and Hurts has consistently delivered those throughout his career. The coach's passionate defense reflects not just his belief in his quarterback, but also his understanding that championship football requires players who prioritize team success over individual accolades.
