After 19-17 Win Over Jets, Eagles’ Nick Sirianni Focuses on Growth, Not Score, and Points to Players on the Roster Bubble

The Philadelphia Eagles closed out Week 3 of the preseason with a narrow 19-17 win over the New York Jets, and head coach Nick Sirianni used his postgame press conference to emphasize growth, depth, and accountability.

One of the biggest storylines was rookie quarterback Kyle McCord playing the entire game. Sirianni explained the decision, noting that Dorian Thompson-Robinson already has plenty of tape, while McCord needed a full workload to evaluate him properly. “There were some plays he’d want back, but overall he ran the offense smartly and showed command,” Sirianni said. The coach also added that with Tanner McKee still nursing a finger injury, giving McCord extensive reps was essential.

The head coach praised the versatility of offensive lineman Drew Kendall, who lined up at both center and guard. Sirianni stressed how valuable flexibility is for building depth on the line, especially when considering roster cuts. He also pointed out that some of the veterans were held out intentionally, with the Thursday night turnaround in mind.

Defensively, Sirianni singled out rookie Antwaun Powell-Ryland for his strip sack, as well as Max for recovering the fumble — a play he credited to habits built in practice. “We drill that every week. Scoop and score mentality. That showed up tonight,” he explained. He also highlighted Perry’s turnover, saying it reflected the daily emphasis on ball security and discipline in practice.

When asked about roster concerns, Sirianni admitted the loss of wide receiver Johnny Wilson to injured reserve was tough. “You don’t replace size and length like that easily,” he said, but quickly added the team would look to others on the roster or even outside options to step up.

Perhaps the most important theme of the night came when Sirianni spoke about the team’s overall identity. He said the biggest lesson of the past month has been watching the players grow closer together. “The bond in this locker room is real,” Sirianni emphasized, adding that the staff has made an effort to create off-field activities that strengthen unity.

For Sirianni, the win over the Jets wasn’t about the final score. It was about seeing rookies take meaningful snaps, depth players step into bigger roles, and the team continue to build the habits that will define them when the regular season begins.