What happened to Jalen Hurts is that he has a blood clot and that is dangerous. For Sirianni, he is not even concerned that Hurts is missing the game, he knows the health of his QB is the priority.

“Jalen’s health is of utmost importance to all of us in the building. I care deeply about Jalen [Hurts]. Like I said, not gonna get too much into that,” Sirianni said. “I love Jalen. Just want him to be healthy,” he added.

Jalen Hurts is under a microscope

Since Jalen Hurts took over as the Eagles starting QB, Philadelphia has gone to two Super Bowls, losing one in devastating fashion, and then winning the other in dominant one. However, his play week by week is not precisely inspiring. He is very reliant on the offensive coordinator, and his connection with Sean Mannion isn’t working.

Hurts’ 2026 season has not been good. He is averaging a career-low 57.8% completion since 2021 where he became the starter. Now, he is dealing with a serious health scare. This could end up being Hurts’ toughest season so far.

Nick Sirianni is on the hot seat

All these injuries just make an uphill battle even steeper for the Eagles. Nick Sirianni is already on the hot seat. However, while injuries could serve as an excuse for Sirianni to keep his job, it could also be the perfect reason to let him go.

After all, Sirianni’s had this team fully healthy and while results have happened, he has lost the locker room at some points, and his coaching as a whole is not the best. Hence, his future is looking very ‘up in the air‘. An awful loss against the Carolina Panthers could help speed up the decision.

Key takeaways

• Jalen Hurts will miss Week 6 against the Panthers due to a blood clot.
• Jalen Hurts is averaging a career-low 57.8% completion during the 2026 NFL season.
• Head coach Nick Sirianni is on the hot seat amid ongoing struggles and injuries.

“I didn’t make the right decision. I lost us that game,” Sirianni told everyone after his team’s loss. From now on, it remains to be seen how things unfold for the Eagles’ head coach.

Decision-making by a coaching staff can be crucial, often determining the outcome of games. This time, the coin landed on Jacksonville’s side, as a clutch kick sealed an epic victory.

A movie-like finish in London

The end of the Eagles vs. Jaguars matchup at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium went down straight to the wire. Right after Philadelphia thought they might pull it off, Ameer Abdullah ripped off a massive 53-yard kickoff return to set up the game’s final drive.

With time expiring, Jacksonville kicker Cam Little stepped up and drilled a clutch 57-yard field goal right as the clock hit zero, snatching a heart-stopping 19-17 walk-off win for the Jags.

Eagles’ upcoming games

After their trip to London, the Eagles return home to Lincoln Financial Field to face the Carolina Panthers on October 18, 2026. Following that, they stay in Philadelphia for a high-stakes divisional rivalry against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football on October 26, 2026. Finally, they hit the road to take on the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on November 1, 2026.

Key takeaways

• Nick Sirianni took responsibility after the Philadelphia Eagles fell to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
• Cam Little drilled a 57-yard field goal to secure Jacksonville’s 19-17 walk-off win.
• Philadelphia will face the Carolina Panthers at Lincoln Financial Field on October 18.

According to information released by the NFL’s official website, neither player will be available to the coaching staff. Nick Sirianni will have to explore other options to provide Jalen Hurts with weapons to attack the Rams.

Dontayvion Wicks and Makai Lemon emerge as the primary targets in the passing game. Johnny Mundt and newly returned Zach Ertz are next in line behind Goedert in the Eagles’ tight end room.

What injuries are Smith and Goedert dealing with?

The Eagles’ offense has been slowly depleted early in the season. Goedert is currently sidelined after suffering an MCL sprain in his right knee back in Week 2. To make matters worse, Smith is now set to miss multiple games with a lingering hamstring issue that flared up ahead of Week 4.

With two of Jalen Hurts’ most reliable safety blankets out of commission, the offense will have to pivot quickly and demand bigger roles from the rest of its playmakers to keep the chains moving.

Eagles lose too much on offense without these players

Early in the 2026 season, Smith had been the focal point of the downfield passing game, racking up 19 receptions for 235 yards on 27 targets through 3 games, providing key big-play ability and intermediate route reliability. Meanwhile, Goedert continued to be Jalen Hurts‘ most trustworthy safety valve, contributing 5 catches for 81 yards and 2 touchdowns across 2 games while serving as a vital run-blocker.

Losing both targets simultaneously strips the Eagles of their primary middle-of-the-field threat, forcing defenses to stack the box against Saquon Barkley and hyper-focus on limiting single coverage.

Key takeaways

• DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert have both been ruled out for Philadelphia against Los Angeles.
• MCL sprain sidelines Goedert while a hamstring issue forces Smith to miss multiple games.
• 19 receptions for 235 yards were recorded by Smith across his first three games.

“That I don’t know,” Brown said, via Ryan Novozinsky of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I just got to come to work. If it do, it do. If it don’t, it don’t.” The wide receiver is the Eagles’ primary option behind DeVonta Smith on the depth chart.

Sirianni and his players will travel to Nissan Stadium for one of the early games on Sunday’s NFL schedule. Will Brown finally see some action on the field against the Titans?

Sirianni did not use Brown in the season opener

DeVonta Smith was pretty low-key but clutch when needed in that tight 24-22 win over the Commanders, hauling in 3 receptions on 6 targets for 53 yards. He averaged a solid 17.7 yards per catch, highlighted by a huge 31-yard grab late in the third quarter that kept a drive alive and set up a key field goal.

While he didn’t find the end zone or blow up the stat sheet, he moved the chains when Jalen Hurts needed a big play. Sirianni said to the press that they “obviously want to get him (Hollywood Brown) into the football game because his speed is real,” but that the rotations “just didn’t work out that way” last Sunday.

What’s next for the Eagles?

First up, the Eagles hit the road to take on the Titans at Nissan Stadium on September 20, followed by a Monday Night Football trip to Soldier Field against the Chicago Bears on September 28.

They return home to Lincoln Financial Field to face the Los Angeles Rams on October 4, before hopping across the pond to London to play the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 11. Finally, they head back to Philly to wrap up this five-game stretch against the Carolina Panthers at the Linc on October 18.

“We don’t have to make that decision quite yet or announce that decision for competitive reasons,” the head coach said to the press. “I don’t want them to study one guy over the other. I’m not saying we don’t have an answer of who that is yet, but I don’t just have to share that quite yet publicly.”

In this league, revealing too many details can often be counterproductive. For now, with the Eagles’ Week 1 debut approaching, Sirianni prefers to keep things quiet and maintain the mystery.

What options does Sirianni have as Hurts’ backup?

Behind Jalen Hurts, the Eagles’ quarterback room features an intriguing mix of veteran security and developmental potential. The primary insurance policy is veteran caller Andy Dalton, who brings a wealth of starting experience to step in seamlessly as a steady hand if Hurts ever needs to miss time.

Right next to him on the depth chart is Tanner McKee, a home-grown option who knows the offense inside and out and continues to show solid potential as a reliable QB2/QB3. The room is rounded out by rookie Cole Payton, a raw, dual-threat developmental prospect who offers a stylistic match to Hurts’ dual-threat capabilities for the practice squad and future roster depth.

The beginning of a new dream for Philadelphia

Although they managed to win the NFC East in 2025 with an 11–6 record, the Eagles unfortunately failed to advance beyond the Wild Card round, something that hurt deeply within the franchise. With the immediate goal of getting revenge as soon as possible, these will be the first challenges facing Nick Sirianni and his players as they look to get the season off to a strong start.

• Week 1, vs Washington Commanders (September 13)
• Week 2, at Tennessee Titans (September 20)
• Week 3, at Chicago Bears (September 28)
• Week 4, vs Los Angeles Rams (October 4)
• Week 5, vs Jacksonville Jaguars (October 11) Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

“It felt great,” Lemon said, via Olivia Reiner of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “Definitely a blessing every time I’m able to step on the field. I never take it for granted.” The former USC Trojans player was seen practicing normally at the Eagles’ facilities, putting signs of his recent hamstring injury behind him.

“I feel pretty confident [there won’t be a reoccurrence],” he also added. “Just learning from my mistakes from the previous times, working with the trainers, setting a good plan for me, just being a professional off the field.”

One of Hurts’ top targets

Lemon returned to the turf after missing the last 10 practices with his teammates and is ready to become Jalen Hurts’ ideal partner. The quarterback will also have Dontayvion Wicks and DeVonta Smith as his top alternatives.

Nick Sirianni knows he will no longer have A.J. Brown this season, as the star wide receiver packed his bags and headed to Foxborough to join the New England Patriots. As a result, the wide receiver room will have a new look heading into the upcoming NFL season.

The Lemon-Hurts connection

It is well known that for an NFL offense to succeed, the connection and chemistry between the quarterback and his top weapons are crucial. Lemon, who is taking his first steps as a professional, is already beginning to feel comfortable with Hurts.

“I feel like that chemistry and that work never stops,” Lemon said. “Each and every day after practice, just talking to him. … I feel like any time I can build that chemistry, it’s good.”

Awaiting his NFL debut

Makai Lemon is confident he will be available for Sirianni in the Eagles’ season opener. The game will take place on September 13 at home against Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders.

Philadelphia will have one final preseason game before then, although Lemon’s availability remains uncertain. The game will also be played at Lincoln Financial Field, against the Cincinnati Bengals, on Friday, August 28.

During the 2025 season, rumors suggested that the Eagles were open to trading Brown. Reports indicated that the star wide receiver was not fully comfortable with Jalen Hurts, the offensive scheme, or the overall direction under Sirianni. The head coach has now addressed what lies ahead for the Pro Bowl wideout.

“Will A.J. be here next season? I think we’re still in a spot where I can’t guarantee how anything is going to play out into next season,” Sirianni said, per Ari Meirov. “I’m thinking I’m going to be the coach next season, but you can’t guarantee anything past tomorrow.”

One last dance for A.J. Brown?

In 2025, the Eagles promoted Kevin Patullo to offensive coordinator following Kellen Moore’s departure to the Saints. However, the move did not produce the desired results for Hurts and the offense.

Philadelphia struggled offensively throughout the season, ultimately leading Sirianni to part ways with Patullo. Sean Mannion has since taken over as offensive coordinator, ushering in a new system and renewed optimism within the locker room.

With a revamped offensive approach, Brown could decide to stay in Philadelphia for at least one more season. Reports suggest Mannion’s scheme will be more aggressive and dynamic, potentially helping the Eagles rediscover the offensive rhythm they displayed under Moore.

Are there teams interested in A.J. Brown?

If the Eagles were to make Brown available, there would undoubtedly be strong interest across the league. He remains one of the NFL’s top wide receivers and a proven veteran capable of elevating any passing attack.

Teams such as the Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, and Cleveland Browns could monitor his situation closely. However, Brown would likely prefer joining a true contender. Among those mentioned, Denver may present the most appealing competitive opportunity if a trade were to materialize.

Sirianni comes from Frank Reich’s coaching tree, as he was Reich’s offensive coordinator when Reich was the Colts head coach. According to Dan Pompei of The Athletic, Sirianni and Reich talked about the possibility of Reich becoming Sirianni’s adviser.

Reich was utimately named the Jets offensive coordinator. But the fact is he was close to work for Sirianni. The Eagles also were on the lookout for an OC after firing Kevin Patullo, but Reich was never contemplated for that job on the Eagles organization.

Sirianni’s loyalty to Reich goes way back

Sirianni was named the Eagles HC and soon after, Reich was fired by the Colts. The Eagles then faced the Colts and when they won, Sirianni made sure that the Colts knew they screwed up by firing his mentor. He went and talked to the Colts fans declaring the win was dedicated to Frank Reich.

Sirianni remains close to the ones who gave him a chance to flourish in the NFL. Now, he has gone to two Super Bowls, winning one of them. Hence, it’s not at all shocking that Sirianni spoke to Reich to reunite, even if that didn’t came to fruition.

Reich does have a past with the Eagles

Reich was instrumental for the Eagles, as he was the OC for the team who won the Super Bowl in 2017. That’s what granted him a last-minute candidacy to become the Colts HC. And it was all going great, until a shocking retirement from quarterback Andrew Luck sent the team backwards.

That caused Reich to fight an uphill battle. He was then also fired 11 games into his first’s season with the Panthers. However, he is still cashing the checks from Carolina, all the way through to 2026. Now, Reich has the chance to remind everyone that he is a brilliant offensive mind.

Vic Fangio has long been one of Sirianni’s trusted lieutenants during one of the Eagles’ most successful eras. However, his future as a coordinator with the franchise was uncertain after last season, to the point that many speculated about his retirement.

The defensive coordinator position in Philly is still vacant, and the idea of Fangio returning is very much on the table. That’s according to Mike Garafolo on X: “As @JimmyKempski reports here, Vic Fangio’s return has been uncertain and sort of still is. It’s been leaning to the positive recently but could change again. The #Eagles haven’t confirmed or denied anything to this point.”

Fangio’s success in Philadelphia

Vic Fangio’s tenure as Defensive Coordinator was the definitive engine behind the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX title, ushering in a dominant era alongside Nick Sirianni. By blending his signature tactical discipline with Sirianni’s aggressive culture, Fangio built a schematic fortress that redefined Philadelphia’s identity and silenced high-powered offenses throughout the playoffs.

This partnership didn’t just secure a championship; it established a defensive blueprint of elite coverage and surgical pressure that has set the gold standard for the entire league, proving that Fangio’s veteran wisdom was the final piece needed to complete Sirianni’s vision for a dynasty.

Candidates for the DC position

With Vic Fangio’s future as Defensive Coordinator still shrouded in uncertainty following reports of a potential retirement, the Philadelphia Eagles have proactively interviewed former coordinators Jonathan Gannon and Jim Schwartz.

These high-profile meetings suggest the front office is bracing for a possible vacancy, seeking a proven leader who can maintain defensive continuity while the organization awaits Fangio’s final decision regarding the 2026 season.

“New Eagles OC Sean Mannion will be calling plays for Philadelphia, per source. Mannion did not call plays during his two seasons in Green Bay,” Dianna Russini wrote on X while detailing Mannion’s new role with the Eagles.

Russini also clarified that the Eagles’ head coach will continue to have a significant voice in how the offense operates, particularly in scoring situations. “Nick Sirianni will, of course, have an influence on the offense too.”

Some wanted Sirianni to take over play-calling duties

Before Mannion was hired, some fans and reporters were pushing for Nick Sirianni to serve as the play caller for the 2026 NFL season. While that idea isn’t unusual around the league, it runs counter to the traditional role of the offensive coordinator.

“They have Nick Sirianni, who could always call the offense if they can’t find anybody worthy of doing the job,” Adam Schefter said on ESPN, echoing a sentiment that had been circulating at the time.

It also emerged that there were certain “adjustments” made among the coaching staff during last season. According to Jeff McLane, Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland had his run-game coordinator responsibilities taken away at some point during the year, although it remains unclear whether that decision came directly from Sirianni.

The year after hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy and putting up incredible numbers on offense, the Eagles saw their offensive unit hit a wall throughout the NFL season. As that regular-season trend carried into the postseason—and Philadelphia was knocked out in the first round at home by the San Francisco 49ers—the Eagles decided to fire Patullo. Now, the offensive coordinator job is up for grabs in the City of Brotherly Love. But someone has yet to be appointed.

As reported by Dianna Russini, Chicago Bears OC Declan Doyle and LSU Tigers OC Charlie Weis Jr. have both turned themselves down from consideration to join Sirianni’s staff in the 2026 NFL season.

Instead, both offensive coaches will stay with their current teams. Doyle will remain alongside Ben Johnson in Chicago, while Weis Jr. will stay alongside Lane Kiffin, as he embarks in his first year in Baton Rouge.

Eagles have trouble finding new OC

With the likes of Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Jalen Hurts, the Eagles should have no trouble finding an offensive guru willing to take the job. There are some concerns about tension within the locker room, but the raw talent on the field should be enough to outweigh that noise. However, after an insider confirmed that two candidates have shut the door on Philadelphia, it seems the Eagles are facing a tougher task than expected.

Fan favorite is off the board

After fans called for Patullo to be fired all season long—enduring a seemingly endless loop of three-and-outs on offense—they finally had their wish fulfilled, but only when it was too late.

Soon after Patullo packed his bags, the consensus fan-favorite candidate to replace him was former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, whose creativity on offense might be second to none in the NFL. McDaniel showed he wasn’t quite suited to lead an entire team in Miami, but as an offensive coordinator, he could be as good as any.

However, before Philadelphia could deep-dive into its pursuit of McDaniel, the Los Angeles Chargers chimed in and have now confirmed that McDaniel will be their offensive coordinator in 2026.