Eagles coach acknowledges kickoff decision error after special teams lapse
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said he should have kicked the ball into the end zone in the final play of Sunday’s London game, citing a lack of confidence in his kick-coverage unit.
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said he erred by not opting for an end-zone kickoff in the final play of Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. He explained that the decision was influenced by concerns over his special-teams unit’s ability to make a tackle, after a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown was called back early in the contest due to penalties.
"We should have kicked it into the end zone," Sirianni said, acknowledging the mistake.
The coach’s comments highlight ongoing questions about the depth of the Eagles’ roster, particularly on special teams. The team also plans to keep retired offensive tackle Lane Johnson on the 53-man roster for the remainder of the season as a cap-management move, which could limit available spots for players who can contribute on coverage units.
Analysts noted that trusting the back end of the roster on special-teams assignments is essential, and Sirianni’s admission suggests the Eagles may need to reassess personnel decisions in that phase of the game.