Nick Sirianni rips criticism of Eagles carrying Jalen Hurts, lauds QB’s ‘selflessness’

Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni ripped the idea that the team carried quarterback Jalen Hurts to its Super Bowl title in February.

“I think that’s bulls—,” Sirianni said, per NBC Sports Philadelphia, at a roundtable interview ahead of training camp. “I mean, (Hurts) plays the most important position in all of sports. And it’s the most ultimate team game there is. And what I admire about him is his selflessness of doing anything we need to do to win.”

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Hurts has received criticism for not ranking among the top signal callers in quarterback ratings, as well as the Eagles’ focus on their ground game last season. Philadelphia leaned on star running back Saquon Barkley, who finished with career highs in rushing attempts (345) and rushing yards (2,005) to go along with 13 touchdowns last season. Barkley earned his third Pro Bowl selection and won Offensive Player of the Year.

Hurts, 26, logged 2,903 passing yards in the regular season, his lowest total since his 2020 rookie season when he wasn’t the regular starter. He threw for 18 touchdowns with five interceptions in 15 regular-season games, but added five touchdowns with 726 passing yards in the Eagles’ five playoff games, including their Super Bowl win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Two of Hurts’ postseason touchdowns came in the Super Bowl, where he led Philadelphia to a 40-22 win over the reigning champion Chiefs and earned Super Bowl MVP.

It marked the Eagles’ second trip to the Super Bowl in Hurts’ five-year NFL career after Philadelphia lost to the Chiefs 38-35 in February 2023.

Sirianni argued that other successful NFL quarterbacks have benefited from being surrounded by great teammates, and he named other Super Bowl-winning duos.

“One of the reasons I love football so much is that it takes everybody to accomplish your goals,” Sirianni said. “Listen, you name great quarterbacks, you can go ahead and start naming great quarterbacks. I’ll tell you their great receivers and their great defense.

“You know? Whether it’s Brady with (Rob) Gronkowski or Brady’s defenses, Mahomes with (Travis) Kelce, Steve Young with Jerry Rice. The list goes on and on and on.”

(Photo of Jalen Hurts (left) and Nick Sirianni (right): Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn Images)

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