Nick Sirianni and the Philadelphia Eagles are 12-3. They are expected to win the NFC East (99.1% chance) and finish the regular season as the second seed in the NFC (73.1% chance), according to PFN’s Playoff Predictor.
Sirianni was under a lot of pressure heading into this season, but his team has done a great job this year and is a Super Bowl contender. While many believe the Eagles head coach has earned some job security, Colin Cowherd thinks he could still get replaced by Bill Belichick next year.
Colin Cowherd Explains Bill Belichick’s Potential Return to the NFL
Sirianni is 46-20 as the Eagles’ head coach and led the team to a Super Bowl appearance in 2023. Last season was a disaster for the team, but this year, they are once again among the best teams in the NFL.
Cowherd highlighted how Sirianni’s recent incident with Zach Ertz added to the long list of questionable moments the Eagles head coach has been involved in the last few years. The Fox Sports analyst said that moments like these are among the reasons the Eagles could part ways with Sirianni.
He also mentioned that Belichick, who recently became the head coach at North Carolina, can get out his deal in June and is a potential candidate to replace Sirianni if things go south for the Eagles.
“If Philadelphia loses in the first round or the second round, Bill Belichick can get out of his contract in July,” Cowherd said, incorrectly citing Belichick’s buy-out clause, which is centered around the date of June 1, a key day in NFL cap circles.
“Belichick already got his kid at Carolina to be the DC [defensive coordinator]. Why did Carolina allow Belichick to have that? Because Belichick knows there is two jobs that are fascinating, Philly and Buffalo.”
"This is my hot take. If Philadelphia loses in the first or second round, Bill Belichick can get out of his contract in July."
— @ColinCowherd isn't ruling out Nick Sirianni getting replaced pic.twitter.com/vc7iY98Jn1
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) December 27, 2024
He added, “If Sean McDermott gets bounced early, that job will be looking for a coach; if Nick Sirianni gets bounced early, you think it’s a hot take? Kevin Durant went from his rival to the Golden State Warriors. I thought the chances of that happening were zero.”
“Stuff happens; I’m just saying,” Cowherd continued. “Jeffrey Lurie, Howie Roseman, ownership, general managers, they’ve moved off. Chip Kelly had a winning record; Doug Pederson won a Super Bowl; Andy Reid was a legend; they’ve moved off really good coaches.”
The Eagles have indeed been ruthless when it comes to firing head coaches, and Sirianni will be no exception. As mentioned, the team is considered a Super Bowl contender, and an early exit in the playoffs could force the front office to make some hard decisions.
Belichick’s contract with North Carolina has two clauses that make him available to become an NFL head coach in 2025:
- Buyout of $10 million before June 1.
- Buyout of $1 million after June 1.
Belichick could leave North Carolina even before coaching a single game for them. Although it’s hard to see an NFL team waiting to hire a new head coach until July 1, anything can happen in sports.
Nick Sirianni Has a Decent Chance of Saving His Job
The Eagles’ 10-game winning streak came to an end in Week 15 against the Washington Commanders, but they are still well-positioned to finish as the second seed in the NFC.
If the current seeding holds, they’ll match up against the Commanders in the Wild Card Round. Jayden Daniels has had a sensational rookie season, but everyone knows experience matters in the playoffs.
Jalen Hurts (concussion) is ruled out for Week 17, but he’ll be fully healthy for the playoffs. He and Sirianni have the experience of coming out top in big games, and it would be quite shocking if they lose in the first round of the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.
The Eagles, on their best day, can beat any team in the NFL. Due to the brilliance of Saquon Barkley and their defense, it will be hard for any team in the NFC to defeat Philadephia in the playoffs.
The second-round potential matchup against either the Los Angeles Rams or the Green Bay Packers will be tough for the Eagles, but they might still be favored to win at home and reach the NFC Championship Game.