Eagles fans are struggling to cheer for their team’s coach. While celebrations are ongoing, admiration for the winning mentor is lacking. The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Cleveland Browns in Week 5 at Lincoln Financial Field. Though the team won 20-16, head coach Nick Sirianni found himself in a controversy. 

Sirianni has a tendency to settle scores, whether with the opponent or his team’s fans. He did the same in the final minutes of the Eagles’ win. While the team was preparing for victory formation, the head coach was seen taunting some fans. After being caught in the act, he explained, “I was having fun, and I was kinda getting some feedback from the guys in the sense like – We need you back Nick. When I’m operating and having fun, I think that breeds the rest of the football team. If I want the guys to celebrate and be themselves after big plays, then I should probably do that myself.” That’s not all. He had a change of heart as he entered the locker room.

Soon after the game, the Eagles posted a video clip on their X handle. In the video, a different version of the head coach appeared. Showing his softer side, Sirianni addressed the team, “Unbelievable job. That’s why I talk about my family a lot and correlate them too. I know deep down that connection, accountability, details, and toughness win. They also make a good man. Be hungry and humble, it’s a vow.” Where did this change of heart come from? Moments earlier, he was jeering at fans, and soon after, he was preaching humility. The coach’s words didn’t sit well with fans online.

Fans lambasted a changed Sirianni on the X. One of them wrote, “That was a pathetic game today and to act like it was some breakthrough is an insult to the fans’ intelligence.” Well, looking at the game, some of the coach’s decisions stretched what should have been an easy win into a nail-biter.

What led the fans to boo Sirianni?

The Eagles were up against a weaker side at Linc. The Browns went 1-4 after the Sunday loss. AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith returned to action after injuries, both accounting for touchdowns, but some of Sirianni’s decisions drew criticism. Seconds before halftime, with the score tied at 10-10, the Eagles had a perfect chance to take the lead at the Browns’ 31-yard line. At that moment, Sirianni called a timeout, breaking the team’s momentum.

But that wasn’t all. He then called for a passing play that resulted in a sack, pushing the Eagles into attempting a much longer 57-yard field goal. This left fans baffled and triggered the booing. Although the Eagles won the game, they had several fumbles during the play. Their QB Jalen Hurts completed 16 of 25 passes. To make matters worse, the Eagles remain the only team this season to not score in the first quarter of any game.

The Eagles also dealt with some injuries. Jordan Mailata and Dallas Goedert sustained hamstring injuries, while Darius Slay injured his knee. They will face the New York Giants in their Week 6 encounter at MetLife Stadium. Fans hope Sirianni will apply his locker-room wisdom to himself in the upcoming game.