Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts did his best to paper over any problems that Philadelphia has had here in a disappointing open to the season that has led to a tepid record of 2-2 and bubbling reports of problems between the quarterback and head coach Nick Sirianni.
On Wednesday, Hurts was asked whether he met with Sirianni during the Eagles' Week 5 bye.
“We’re the two leaders of the team,” Hurts said, via NBCSportsPhiladelphia.com. “I’m happy and fortunate that we were able to come together in harmony and have the same goal in mind, trying to get this thing right. I got a ton of confidence in him, a ton of confidence in what he brings and everything he’s been able to accomplish.”
But while Hurts gave Sirianni his vote of confidence, the reality for the Eagles is that they were manhandled by the Buccaneers in Week 4, and have now lost eight of their last 11 games, including the playoffs.
On the ESPN program, "Get Up," NFL insider Adam Schefter said that the major question left unanswered is, what has happened to the Eagles going back to last December that has caused such an extended swoon?
Most coaches and quarterbacks talk during a bye week -- few would characterize their conversations as, coming "together in harmony."
"What were the issues that they had to address in the bye week that they were able to come together in harmony to work it out?" Schefter wondered. "So, OK, what were the issues that existed between them and did that have any influence and impact on the season crashing last year, the sluggish start this year, the poor performance in Tampa before the bye?"
Former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky, now an analyst for the network, was more blunt about the state of the Eagles as they prepare to face the reeling Cleveland Browns (who are 1-4) in Week 6. Orlovsky said a loss to the Browns would be catastrophic for Sirianni and the Eagles.
"Verge of catastrophe," Orlovsky said. "That's where they are. I think they're on the verge of catastrophe. Now, I think Philadelphia wins this football game. They better, to avoid that catastrophe.
"If you want to have a conversation of this is a must-win game, because it is a results-oriented business, this is a must-win game for their head coach. No doubt about it."
