Did Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts Put Rumors Of Discord To Bed?
With there being little on-the-field stuff to talk about, rumors of discontent between Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts have dominated Eagles off-season discussion. They stem from one of the last times Jalen Hurts spoke, where he kind of dodged a question that gave him a chance to compliment Nick Sirianni.
Since then there have been multiple reports, including a recent one by Dianna Russini, that said the relationship between Hurts and Sirianni was a “work in progress.”
Related: Nick Sirianni Was The Real Problem, Not Brian Johnson
Today they both spoke though, and it was the first question both of them were asked. Here is how they responded.
Nick Sirianni Says His Relationship with Hurts Is Good
Nick Sirianni was the first to speak, and thus he got the first chance to respond to these reports.
“Jalen and I’s relationship is good. Again, you just can judge it based on what your personal interactions are. So when you hear a report like that, you don’t put much stock into it, because quite frankly not everybody sees that. So I’m so excited for him and I to get into our fourth year together. We’ve done some pretty special things and I’m excited for him. He’s worked so hard at his game.”
So Nick is going with the narrative of the reports never being accurate. I don’t quite buy it. I appreciate him coming out and trying to put it to bed. I don’t buy that it is some insurmountable difference between the two men. But there is also way too much smoke for there to be no fire.
These are not no-name reporters putting out these stories. Dianna Russini is a trusted name. Tim McManus is one of the best guys on the Eagles beat. If they are reporting something, there is something there. Someone in the know gave them that information.
I am very confident that at some point, there was discord between Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts. That is not some media invention. You could see it play out on the field last season. The team was in turmoil. Losing tends to cause that. Winning can also cure that. But don’t tell us it is nothing. It was clearly something.
Jalen Hurts Stresses The Importance Of Being On The Same Page
Up next was Hurts. I actually liked his answer a bit more. He stressed the importance of chemistry.
“We are in a good place. Anytime you have any frustration or adversity, it is supposed to test you. I think it is a matter of being on the same page… This team has made it happen before… It takes being together… talent wins you games, it will take you very far, but it doesn’t last. Teams win championships.”
That for me is the thing. They don’t need to be best friends. It is okay if there was some turmoil, or if they need to work on their relationship. As long as they are on the same page when it counts, we are good.
Hurts seems to get that. Sirianni gets that. They might have to work on their relationship. But they have all summer to do that. As long as they are on the same page when it counts, it will be fine.
This is not the first time a coach and a player had a relationship problem. Very successful Coach and QB combos did not exactly love each other. As long as they put their differences aside, it won’t matter in the end.
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