Nick Sirianni got some early-season relief last week when the league handed Jalen Carter a one-game suspension, which he had already served against the Cowboys. Most expected Sirianni to bench Carter as a “lesson,” but he didn’t. And after the win over the Chiefs, Sirianni finally explained why he made that call.

Bottom line? Sirianni wanted to make Carter feel appreciated. “No matter how much money somebody makes or fame anybody has, everybody needs to know they are loved and appreciated…..There’s not a handbook on any of those things….You gotta try to find ways to get better, you gotta make sure that everyone is disciplined on the football team,” Sirianni said, imploring into the moral ambiguity of ‘spitting’ onto your opponent.

“I believe in him, I know he’s got a great heart, and I know he’ll learn from his mistakes and continue to get better. I believe in him so much; he’s an important part of this football team….We needed him today,” he added.

If you missed out on the chaos, let’s take you back a little. Eagles DT Jalen Carter didn’t even make it out of the gate in the season opener — he was ejected just six seconds in for spitting on Cowboys QB Dak Prescott. He was fined a one-game check of $57,222 and a one-game suspension, which he essentially served by sitting out vs the Cowboys.

That didn’t stop the Eagles from weighing their own punishment. Sirianni was clear that all further consequences would be “handled in-house.” After the dust settled against the Cowboys, Carter showed some humility, telling reporters, “I made it a promise” that he wouldn’t let something like that happen again.

Now, Sirianni might’ve handled it a bit differently if this were some other player, but it’s Jalen Carter. He needs him. He’s easily their most dangerous defensive weapon. Carter being on the pitch is just as important as him feeling ‘loved and appreciated’. And he showed just why.

Carter finished tonight with just 2 tackles and a pass defended, but he did a lot more than that. He was a wrecking ball up the middle, collapsing the pocket and making life miserable for Patrick Mahomes all day. Even without a sack, his interior pressure threw off the Chiefs’ rhythm and opened lanes for teammates to make plays. This wasn’t flashy, but it was Carter who helped keep Kansas City under 300 yards.

He clearly wants to make up for that lost $57,222 check. And he wasn’t the only one.

Four Eagles players lose their checks

Yes, we all knew a hefty fine was in place for Jalen Carter. Most analysts expected it to be even more than $57,222, but here we are. But here’s the kicker: Jalen Carter wasn’t the only Eagles player to come out with a fine. There were a total of not two, not three, but four Eagles players who lost a check.

No matter how much Nick Sirianni shows love and appreciation for his players, they’re clearly not feeling the same way toward their opponents. Nolan Smith was one of those players. Early in the second quarter, Smith got flagged 15 yards for taunting after stuffing Miles Sanders at the 50-yard line. The league later hit him with an $11,593 fine.

Jakorian Bennett joined in on the party. Bennett was hit with a $23,186 fine for a hip-drop tackle on CeeDee Lamb just before halftime. Officials didn’t call it on the field, and with no timeouts left, Dak Prescott raced to the line and spiked the ball. Brandon Aubrey then drilled a 53-yard field goal as time expired, slicing Philadelphia’s lead to 21–20 at the half.

We’re not done just yet. DeJean got hit with an $11,593 fine for a first-quarter facemask on the kickoff after Philadelphia tied it 7–7. The refs missed it in real time, but the league caught it on film. And that made him yet another Eagles player who lost a chunk of his game check. Nick Sirianni needs to have a few locker room discussions, surely.