Nick Sirianni Slams ESPN’s QB Rankings as ‘Nonsense’: Hurts Ranked Too Low

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni didn’t mince words this week when ESPN released its annual Top 10 quarterback rankings. The survey of NFL executives, coaches, and scouts placed Jalen Hurts at a surprisingly low position—behind names like Jared Goff—which prompted Sirianni to dismiss the rankings as “nonsense” and insist they don’t reflect Hurts’s true value.

In the wake of ESPN’s newly released rankings—which saw Patrick Mahomes at No. 1 and Josh Allen at No. 2—Hurts landed near the bottom of the Top 10. Even more eyebrow-raising: Jared Goff, fresh off a season where Hurts won Super Bowl LIX and earned MVP honors, ranked higher. The list sparked immediate backlash, with fans and analysts declaring it “completely off-base.”

Sirianni reacted swiftly. In a press conference this morning, he defended his quarterback firmly: “That’s nonsense. You don’t win a Super Bowl MVP and get ranked behind guys who didn’t,” he said, his voice edged with frustration.

This wasn’t the first time the coach leapt to Hurts’s defense. In recent months, Sirianni has stood firm against the narrative that Hurts is merely a “game manager.” He’s called such talk “bulls—”, and pointed to Hurts’s leadership, versatility, and record-breaking dual-threat performance—including his tenacity and poise throughout Philadelphia’s championship campaign. 

Fans took to social media almost immediately. On Reddit, one commenter summed it up: “Hurts at No. 9 is more confusing to me… I’ll take the guy who won multiple Super Bowls and can do it with his legs as well.” The sentiment echoed across Eagles Nation: Hurts’s playoff poise, dual-threat capability, and consistent excellence deserve far more respect than the ESPN list suggests.

Sirianni’s rebuke serves two clear purposes: it reinforces the team’s internal belief in their leader, and it ensures that external noise—5th or 10th versus 1st—doesn’t undermine Hurts’s confidence or influence. As the Eagles ramp up for another Super Bowl chase, this coach-to-player shield sends a message: in Philly, actions on the field speak louder than any third-party poll.

Hurts has already responded indirectly, taking the criticism in stride. As training camp approaches, expect him to remain laser-focused on preparing, not debating rankings. But for his coach—and a rabid fan base—the statement is clear: Jalen Hurts is elite, and any claim to the contrary is, in Sirianni’s words, “nonsense.”