The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the rival Steelers 27-13 on Sunday. With the victory, the squad advanced to 12-2 on the season. While this would normally result in jubilation, tensions were high on the Philadelphia sidelines. During the fourth quarter, a staff member approached head coach Nick Sirianni as he attempted to pursue defensive lineman Jalen Carter. The interaction rapidly became viral.
With just over ten minutes of play left, the Eagles defence forced a punt after stopping Pittsburgh on an offensive drive. Philadelphia had a 14-point lead at the time. Carter slapped a Steelers blocker during the punt attempt, which was ruled to be unnecessarily rough. Fortunately, that penalty didn’t cost Pittsburgh any money and gave them a new set of downs. The Eagles added it to the end of their punt return instead.
Carter out here throwing hands. #eagles #steelers pic.twitter.com/5UzoLVRqMo
— Rate the Refs App (@Rate_the_Refs) December 15, 2024
Sirianni went up to Carter on the sidelines after the fact. Clint Hurt, the defensive line coach, interrupted him abruptly.
This is CRAZY and only happens in #Philly …#Eagles HC Nick Sirianni was trying to talk to Jalen Carter about something and D-Line Coach Clint Hurt stopped him from doing so…hard to believe an 11-2 team leading by 14 in the 4th quarter, over a 10-3 #Steelers team, would have… pic.twitter.com/3nIiHpzfx8
More than it was, the issue was probably exaggerated. Both coaches had good reason to act as they did. Sirianni wants his first-round selection to be more intelligent. Hurt probably spoke with Carter before and didn’t think a second slap was required. This season has witnessed numerous instances of dysfunction on the Philadelphia sideline. Many Eagles supporters wanted Nick Sirianni fired following a 2-2 start, and he has been observed getting into verbal altercations with them. Since then, the club has won ten games in a row to take the lead in the NFC East standings.
Carter has also engaged in some sideline mischief. Earlier in the season, when he was yelling at trash-talking Saints fans, Sirianni had to stop him.
The heated attitudes seem to be functioning just well, even though the group hasn’t always been the most composed. Philadelphia looks to be headed for a division title and has already secured a postseason berth.
— Artie Schweitzer (@ArtieSchweitzer) December 16, 2024