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The Philadelphia Eagles took down the rival Steelers on Sunday, 27-13. With the win, the team improved to 12-2 on the season. While that would typically result in celebration, tensions appeared high on the Philly sidelines.
At one point in the fourth quarter, head coach Nick Sirianni was confronted by a staff member as he tried to go after defensive lineman Jalen Carter. The interaction quickly went viral.
The Eagles defense stopped Pittsburgh on an offensive drive, forcing a punt with a little over 10 minutes of play remaining. At the time, Philadelphia held a 14-point advantage.
On the punt attempt, Carter was seen taking a swipe at a Steelers blocker, one that was called for unnecessary roughness. That penalty luckily didn’t prove costly in providing Pittsburgh with a fresh set of downs. Instead it was added to the end of the Eagles’ punt return.
Carter out here throwing hands. #eagles #steelers pic.twitter.com/5UzoLVRqMo
— Rate the Refs App (@Rate_the_Refs) December 15, 2024
After the fact, Sirianni approached Carter on the sidelines. He was quickly cut off by defensive line coach Clint Hurt.
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
— Artie Schweitzer (@ArtieSchweitzer) December 16, 2024
The situation was likely made out to be more than it actually was. Both coaches were justified in their actions. Sirianni wants his first-round pick to play smarter. Hurt likely already had a discussion with Carter and didn’t feel a second lashing was necessary.
This is far from the first time we’ve seen disfunction on the Philadelphia sideline this season. Nick Sirianni has been seen in verbal altercations with Eagles fans, many of whom wanted him fired after a 2-2 start. The team has since won 10 straight contests to move to the top of the NFC East standings.
Carter, too, has been involved in some sideline antics. He had to be restrained by Sirianni while shouting at trash talking Saints fans earlier in the year.
While it’s not always been the most collected group, the fiery attitudes appear to be working just fine. Philadelphia has already locked up a playoff spot and they appear on their way to a division title.