Breaking: Eagles’ Nick Sirianni blasts narratives around Super Bowl champ Jalen Hurts

Nick Sirianni says “that’s bullsh!t”

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni has firmly rejected the notion that quarterback Jalen Hurts was merely carried by his teammates to win the Super Bowl, calling such narratives “bulls—” and emphasizing the collective nature of football success. This statement came in response to recent criticism suggesting Hurts’ 2024 Super Bowl ring was more a result of his star-studded supporting cast—including Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley and an elite offensive line—than his own contributions.

In a candid and passionate interview on the “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast, Sirianni was asked if Hurts “carried” the Eagles to their championship victory in Super Bowl LVII (2023). His answer was blunt: “That’s bulls—.” The coach underscored that football is the “ultimate team game” and that while Hurts played exceptionally well, attributing the team’s success to one player disrespects others who fought hard all season long. He specifically named key contributors such as Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson, and Haason Reddick to illustrate that the Eagles’ success was the result of every component working together.

Sirianni’s defense of Hurts highlights the quarterback’s selflessness and adaptability. Despite being the leader and playing the most important position in sports, Hurts does whatever the team needs to win. The coach pointed out that while quarterbacks often want to throw the ball extensively to showcase their skill, Hurts is willing to shift his focus between passing and running the ball depending on what the team requires. For instance, in the 2024 season, Hurts had fewer passing attempts and yards than previous years, finishing with 2,903 passing yards and 18 touchdowns, a calculated adjustment as the Eagles leaned more on their dominant rushing attack led by Barkley.

Hurts’ versatility was crucial throughout the season and especially in the playoffs, including a stellar Super Bowl performance where he completed 77% of his throws and accounted for four touchdowns, earning Super Bowl MVP honors. His dual-threat capability, combining passing and rushing—he added 13 touchdowns on the ground during the year—was central to the Eagles’ offensive success and championship run.

The coach also drew parallels to other NFL legends, emphasizing that even elite quarterbacks rely on their teammates for success, pointing to examples like Tom Brady with Rob Gronkowski or Patrick Mahomes with Travis Kelce. Sirianni suggested that critical narratives are sometimes media fabrications aimed at sparking debate and filling content without appreciating the team-centric reality of football.

In addition to Hurts’ contributions, the presence of superstar running back Saquon Barkley was significant. Barkley’s career-best season saw him rush for 2,005 yards with 13 touchdowns, earning Offensive Player of the Year honors. His performance allowed the Eagles to implement an offensive strategy that balanced the run and pass effectively, making the team harder to defend against. Nevertheless, Sirianni insists that Barkley’s impact does not diminish Hurts’ leadership and vital role; each player brought value to a collective championship effort.

Sirianni’s remarks push back against any oversimplifications that would reduce a complex, multifaceted team victory to a single player’s efforts. His belief in a team-first mentality resonates with Hurts’ own reputation for humility and prioritizing team success over personal accolades, embodying the culture that the Eagles aim to cultivate as they prepare for future seasons.

In summary, the Philadelphia Eagles’ path to the Super Bowl ring was undoubtedly a team achievement, but according to head coach Nick Sirianni, to suggest Jalen Hurts was simply carried ignores the quarterback’s critical role, adaptability, and leadership. Hurts was not just a cog in the machine; he was the engine driving the team while sharing the spotlight with other standout teammates. The narrative that Hurts was merely a game manager overshadowed his Super Bowl MVP performance and the selflessness he displayed throughout the season, which Sirianni emphatically dismisses.