Nick Sirianni

Q. Are there some things, now that you’ve worked with Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio for as long as you have, that you learned about him that you wouldn’t have gotten to know if he wasn’t your DC? (Dave Zangaro)

NICK SIRIANNI: Again, his tireless work ethic. With him being as good of a coach as he’s been in this league for this long, I think I probably would’ve been able to guess that he works his butt off. But he’s always looking at tape, watching tape, looking for new ways to do things, better ways to do what he already does.

Just really admire his work ethic and how he goes about work every single day.

Q. In training camp to start, you had said you were excited about the linebacker position in particular. Just the way that LB Zack Baun and LB Nakobe Dean have played, and Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio, it seems like this is a specialty of his. How much do you think the emphasis on that position has dictated how the defense has played this year? (Brooks Kubena)

NICK SIRIANNI: I think defense as a whole takes everybody. Defensive football, football in itself, is always going to take everybody. In defense, it is so critical that you’re on the same page, flying to the football, playing with good fundamentals, and linebackers are a big part of that.

Our linebackers, LB Zack Baun and LB Nakobe Dean, have played really well. But again, it takes everybody on defense. But, yeah, like I said in training camp and still say right now, excited about that room. Excited about those guys, and they’re having a good season.

We also know that we’re only as good as our next game, and we’ve got to put our head down and work and go do it again. But those guys have done a nice job to date.

Q. You guys now have the best road record in the NFL since you started in ’21. I think you moved past the Chiefs when they lost to the Bills yesterday. What goes into that? What do you attribute that to? What do you guys do to treat those road games in a way that leads to success? (Reuben Frank)

NICK SIRIANNI: Yeah, you want to be calm in situational football. So we do a lot of things in situations, not only in the meeting room, but also out at practice every single day. We’ve done that through training camp. We do that every single day in practice.

So again, being calm in situations is critical. On offense, being able to handle the noise is going to be really critical. It gets annoying to hear the crowd noise as you go, but obviously that’s a big deal.

I think the biggest thing out of all that is just having that mental toughness that everyone is going to be against you on the road. Now, we travel pretty well, and I’ve been really appreciative of the Eagles fans that show up no matter where we are.

But you still feel like the stadium is against you. It’s just an opportunity for you to unite as a team, lock arms as a team. And have that mental toughness, that dog mentality as far as understanding just play the next play, control what you can control, and unite as a team.

Those are two of our big time core values: connect and toughness. So we take pride in that. Then I just think that speaks volumes of our players and coaches that they handle that.

I didn’t know that stat. That’s a cool stat, and we take pride in that. That’s just another opportunity to lock arms, and go at it together, and try to battle all game and win.

Q. You’ve had a history of starting well here: 9-1, 9-1, now 8-2. One year, you’ve been able to sustain it. One year, you probably didn’t go as far as you would’ve liked. Is that something that’s helped you learn from each aspect of that, because handling success can be different than handling failure? (John McMullen)

NICK SIRIANNI: Sure. Yeah, and then the first year too, even in ’21, we started 2-5 and finished 7-2. So we’ve had a couple different paths there. Every season is a little bit different.

But learning from all your circumstances. Again, it’s about your mindset and trying to control what you can control. Because having success can be just as dangerous as having failure, as far as the scoreboard says.

Again, it’s just so important that we have that mindset. That we aren’t focused on anything else, not the past, not the future, just literally where we are. We try to talk about that every single day, showing the mountain that we’re going to climb. ‘Hey, you can’t look up; you’ll slip. Can’t look down; you’ll have a mistake.’

Just being locked into where you are. Does that mean it goes perfectly every time? No, obviously not. But that’s the mindset we try to have. I think mental toughness is just as important in this game of football as physical toughness.

So we try to pride ourselves on that. Yeah, of course you try to learn from your mistakes in the past. If you’re referring to last year, we learned a lot from that. We’re on the path that we are from a lot of the lessons and a lot of the adversity we went through last year to end the season.

We’ll have to continue to learn those lessons to put ourselves in positions to move forward. But really, at the end of the day, we’re not worried about anything but this next football game that we have.

Q. You’re going to be preparing for a Rams defense without former Rams DT Aaron Donald. First of all, how much extra sleep do you get this week, if any? And B, how has the Rams defensive front changed their approach to getting after the quarterback in his absence? (Olivia Reiner)

NICK SIRIANNI: Yeah, had the privilege to work with [Rams Defensive Coordinator] Chris Shula at the Chargers. Got a lot of respect for him as a football coach. I think he’s doing an outstanding job. They still have really good players. Any good player keeps you up.

Not that I’m sad that [former Rams DT] Aaron Donald is not going to be there. But they’ve got really a defensive line. Chris and [Rams Senior Defensive Assistant/Associate Head Coach] Sean [Desai] are doing a great job of leading that defense.

We’re early in our studies. Obviously had some more time to study them, but a lot of our time was devoted towards self-scout and then early studies on the Rams. We’re early on with those things.

Yeah, Chris has put his own spin on that defense, and they’re playing well. This is a good football team. We’re going to have a challenge this weekend.

Q. Your offense continues to show this ability to hit the big play, 40 plus yards. You had another one on Thursday night, a short throw RB Saquon Barkley turned into a 40-yard reception. I think you’ve had 14 of those; only nine last year. What do you think is the reason for that increase this season? (Ed Kracz)

NICK SIRIANNI: Yeah, a lot goes into that. It is always going to start up front with the protection. It’s going to go to everyone being on the same page as far as having a hat for a hat. Then it’s going to be the route discipline, obviously talking about the pass game, of people being in the right spots.

There is a lot to be said for that. Hey, if you’re supposed to be plus one outside the numbers chop chopping at the top, then you’ve got to be plus one at the numbers chop chopping at the top.

If this guy’s job is to clear out, he has to put his head down and run like he’s going to get the football. And then is [QB] Jalen [Hurts] getting to the right place with the football, delivering an accurate ball? And then are playmakers making plays?

There have been a variety of those. There’s been Jalen putting a perfect ball on [WR DeVonta Smith] Smitty in the back of the end zone, Smitty dragging his feet at the top.

Then this one is a little different. Jalen checks it down, and [RB] Saquon [Barkley] gets it. So it takes everybody. That’s what is so cool about football. You’ve heard me say that a million times, football takes everybody.

Then [Offensive Coordinator] Kellen [Moore] dialing it up at the specific time, and the coaches coaching it up. So all those things happen. That’s just good team football that I think you attribute that to.

We’ll look to continue to have success on those explosive plays.

Q. What have you noticed about the dynamic between [CB Darius] Slay and [CB] Quinyon [Mitchell] and how they’ve been beneficial for one another? (Tim McManus)

NICK SIRIANNI: Yeah, I think I’ve said this plenty of times here – I can’t say enough good things about [CB Darius] Slay and the leader he is. He’s been voted a captain three years in a row now. And the reason being, he’s just such a good leader, such a good teammate. I think that’s something that you don’t get to hear about Slay enough. You hear about the special play that he has. But man, he always has the best interest of his teammates at heart. Good heart. Just a great teammate.

So I think that when you’re a young player like [CB Quinyon Mitchell] Q, and somebody that plays the same position as you has taken you under their wing, that’s a special deal. Especially a player of the caliber that Slay is, who Q has probably been watching since he was ten years old.

Did I age Slay that much? Yeah, probably 10, 12 years old, which is crazy, right? And Q being humble to take advice from a guy that’s done it at a high level.

So I think the relationship is cool because it’s two guys that both [have] no ego involved. Trust me, when Slay and Q get out there, they think they can cover anybody. And they can cover anybody, so they have the ego in that. Which all good players do.

But they’re able to put that aside. And Slay is saying, ‘How do I help my young teammate get better for the good of the team?’ And Q is saying, ‘Hey, man, this guy with all this good knowledge is willing to help me out. How do I listen to it?’

So it’s really cool. I admire that first and foremost with Slay, and Q has done a nice job of putting his head down and working.

Appreciate you asking that question because it gives me a chance to brag on both those guys and the type of people that they are.

Q. I know a lot has been made about RB Saquon Barkley’s touches and everything. How valuable is it to have a guy like RB Kenneth Gainwell? He had the three big fourth quarter runs that set up the go-ahead touchdown. What is he doing differently or better this year than in past years? (Martin Frank)

NICK SIRIANNI: Yeah, first, [RB Kenneth Gainwell] Kenny has always taken advantage of his opportunities. This year is no different. I think Kenny is doing the same things he’s done here since the moment I got here. And that he got here, too. We came in together.

There is a lot that I do where I’ll go back and watch tape, whether it’s a situational football from ’21, ’22, ’23, ’24. Again, just always looking and trying to improve that way.

On our way to Brazil, I watched every third down we had here in the past three years. Long trip; nothing to do. Someone gave me a couple of shows to watch, and I just wanted to watch tape instead.

Anyway, Kenny Gainwell was all over that tape, making plays all over that tape. And so, to answer your question, I don’t think he’s doing anything different. I think he’s just taking advantage of his opportunities because he’s always done that. He’s always been the second back or the third back.

In ’21, there was a game he was down, that he wasn’t active for. He was like, ‘That ain’t happening to me again,’ and it hasn’t. He’s such a reliable football player. We’ve had faith in Kenny – again, not blind faith, we’ve had faith because of the way he’s produced here since very early on. And he continues to be that guy that we can have faith in.

And he’s contributing on special teams and taking a bigger role on that. He’s tough. He’s dependable. Great teammate.

You ask the guys on this team what they think about Kenny Gainwell, everyone will say the same thing. There is a reason he’s been on this team for four years and has made some very significant plays. It’s because we love him. We think he’s a great teammate. We think he’s a great football player.

And as you guys ask me these questions, and I’m talking about this guy and that guy, that’s why this team is continuing to gel together. The emphasis we put on team, but most importantly, the guys we have on this team coming together. Because these guys make it.

Again, there are just so many good teammates. Tribute to [Executive Vice President/General Manager] Howie [Roseman] and his staff. As [Executive Vice President/General Manager] Howie [Roseman] and I talk going into each draft, we talk about how important it is that these guys love football, that these guys have high character, and all these different things when we talk about players.

Q. I know you’ve discussed this in some other settings, but I wanted to ask you here. When RB Saquon Barkley brings the ball to the two- or one-yard line, are you ever compelled to just let him finish the job? And have you had to have that conversation, whether it’s with RB Saquon Barkley, former Eagles RB D’Andre Swift, former Eagles RB Miles Sanders in the past? (Zach Berman)

NICK SIRIANNI: Yeah, that’s a good question. I think, yes, you always think about that. I think one thing we think about a lot in the red zone – without giving out too much information because I want to answer your question and be respectful of your question – a quarterback sneak, it’s tough to lose yardage there.

So when you come out, the worst thing you can do in red zone football is move backwards. That’s one the worst things that can happen there and put you behind the sticks. You always want to stay ahead of the sticks because things get harder and tighter down there as you move down in there.

So we’ve had a lot of success with the quarterback sneak. Jalen has scored a lot of touchdowns. So there are times where, yeah – again, I want to be careful how I’m answering this, but I again want to answer your question.

That’s probably the best way I can say that. Saquon has done a great job. How many touchdowns does he have this year? I actually don’t know.

Q. Eight overall. (Zach Berman)

NICK SIRIANNI: And Jalen in rushing?

Q. You stumped me there. (Zach Berman)

NICK SIRIANNI: Alright. He’s getting us down there, yes. He’s got eight touchdowns, and [we’re] excited for him on that. He’s playing at a high, high level. But I think Saquon is a great teammate. Yeah, good question.

Q. Have you spoken to RB Saquon Barkley, former Eagles RB D’Andre Swift, and former Eagles RB Miles Sanders about that particular sequence? (Zach Berman)

NICK SIRIANNI: Yeah, we always talk about that. We talk about everything. Again, like I said, we just have had some incredible guys here that are great teammates that always want to do what’s best for the team.

Q. QB Jalen Hurts has 11 [rushing touchdowns]. You have a bunch of young guys on defense, and they’ve obviously played a major role in the defense’s success. But they’re going to start going into territory now where they’re playing more games than they have in their lives. And on top of that, DT Jalen Carter played every defensive snap the other night. How big a concern is that, and how do you approach making sure they’re ready for the long haul of an NFL season? (Bob Brookover)

NICK SIRIANNI: Yeah, obviously that’s always on our mind. How do we keep these guys as fresh as possible? Especially the guys that haven’t played this long of a season because it’s a marathon. I think the best way to get better at football is playing football.

So the practice is critical. Us practicing hard on Wednesday, Thursday – obviously take it a little bit lighter on Friday – is critical to help us continue to get better with our fundamentals like blocking, and block destruction, and tackling, and taking care of the football, and taking the football away.

So you intend to get better, but there is a fine line in the sense of, hey, we’ve got to keep getting better through practice and playing games, and also keeping guys fresh through the long haul.

So everybody is a little bit different, depending on what they’re going through, what their history has been. Everyone has an individualized plan. I won’t get into everybody’s individualized plan with you, but everybody’s thought of individually to make sure that those things are taken care of.

So if they have to do extra fundamentals, then we do extra fundamentals. If they have to have less practice time because they’re dealing with something, or they had a big load the game before, then we handle that as well.

But a lot of science goes into that. The people that help me with that are really appreciated: our strength staff, our doctors, our trainers. But we’ve got to continue to get better at football. To do that, you’ve got to play, you’ve got to practice.

But good question. Again, all that is thought through by us and the rest of the staff that work in this building, not just us as coaches.

Q. I want to ask you about the three oldest guys on the roster, so CB Darius Slay, DE Brandon Graham, and T Lane Johnson. I know they have been here with you. But when you are entering the year trying to reestablish, reset what your culture is, what you guys are about, how important are those three to you in carrying forth that culture? (Bo Wulf)

NICK SIRIANNI: Yeah, huge. I’ve said this plenty of times. When I walked in as a first-year head coach, what other first-year head coach has four offensive and defensive linemen that have played nine, ten plus years. I don’t think there are a lot of first-year coaches that had what I had with [former Eagles C] Jason [Kelce], and [Former Eagles DT Fletcher Cox] Fletch, and [T] Lane [Johnson], and [DE Brandon Graham] BG. I know you mentioned Slay, too.

So it’s huge. It was huge day one, year one, and he’s huge day one, year four. And it’s huge day whatever we are right now, 157, year four.

So these guys are great leaders. You heard me gush about Slay already and what makes him special.

Lane, man, Lane is awesome. Just an awesome player, as you guys know. But I just love how he pumps up the scout team and lets the scout team know how much better they’re making him and preparing him to play each week. Because he knows how important that is. Lane is a great teammate in that sense.

You guys have been around BG. There is nobody like him that brings that type of energy every single day that he brings. And it’s such positive energy. Those three guys, there is a reason they have Cs on their chests. They lead every day. They work every day. They’re the type of players that they are.

Our team and our guys, our players, our coaches, our building are lucky to have those three leaders. I could go on and on about those guys. They really do a great job of first, leading by example, and then leading the rest of the guys.

Q. Is it actually day 157? (Bo Wulf)

NICK SIRIANNI: I don’t know. (laughing)

Q. Do you feel better or worse about your team after watching Sunday’s games? (Jeff McLane)

NICK SIRIANNI: Yeah, I actually watched a little bit. I was kind of on and off, doing some dad stuff and doing some things, too, for our self-scout. I try not to get too wrapped up in that. You try to learn from the things do you watch.

I’ll have a big morning tomorrow, watching all the situations across the league tomorrow morning with a couple guys, so I can probably have a better answer then. But there are a couple of things that we learned from as we watched it live yesterday. Like I said, I was in and out on that.

It was good for us to relax, to get some self-scout stuff down, to get some early starts on the Rams. But really appreciate the way the season has worked out, because we had the bye early, have a mini bye now, and we got another seven games coming up.

So it was important for our guys to rest as well. Some guys get away from it. Some guys are still intertwined in it. I guess I was a little bit of both, doing some work on the side and then doing some dad stuff. Had a catch a couple times.

I think that’s how you say it here, right? Had a catch, we played catch. We played catch.

Yeah, got better at football a little bit over at the Sirianni household.

Q. We’ve seen what DT Jalen Carter has done on the field. Where has he improved off the field from last season, and what impact has he had on his teammates or intangibles overall? (Chris Franklin)

NICK SIRIANNI: Yeah, good question. To play every play that he played, I think it shows you how good of shape he’s in. That’s cardio, that’s physical, that’s so many different things. That’s eating the right things and nutrition.

Again, it wasn’t like 66 sloppy plays, right? He made an impact on that game. You guys saw it. And he hustled every single play. You have to be in phenomenal shape to be able to do that.

I think as far as off the field, you really notice the time that he’s put into the weight room, put into his body. And it’s really showing up on Sundays.