Eagles coach Nick Sirianni doubled down on his support for embattled offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo on Monday, brushing aside fan chants calling for his firing after Philadelphia’s dismal 24-15 loss to the Chicago Bears.
“We’re not changing the play-caller,” Sirianni stated firmly, repeating the assertion multiple times as questions mounted about the team’s sputtering offense.
Offensive Struggles Mount as Fans Grow Restless
The Eagles’ offensive woes were on full display Sunday, with the unit running a paltry 17 plays and managing just two first downs in the first half. By game’s end, Philadelphia had amassed only 317 total yards on 51 plays, while Chicago ran a staggering 85 plays for 425 yards — a disparity that highlighted the team’s inability to sustain drives or control the clock.
Perhaps most concerning? Saquon Barkley, the Eagles’ star offseason acquisition, managed a meager 58 rushing yards against a Bears defense that has been hemorrhaging an average of 138 yards per game on the ground this season. The running lanes simply weren’t there, leaving fans to wonder if the play-calling was to blame.
Sirianni, however, refused to make Patullo the scapegoat. “It’s never about just one person,” he explained. “I have confidence in the entire group. I know it will keep coming back to Kevin. If I thought it was one thing, then you make those changes. Obviously, it’s a lot of different things. I don’t think it is Kevin.”
Players Circle the Wagons
The locker room appears to be sticking together despite mounting external pressure. Barkley, whose production has fallen well short of expectations, defended the coaching staff and called for unity rather than finger-pointing.
“I don’t think something big needs to change,” Barkley insisted. “The sky’s falling outside the locker room, we understand that. But I have nothing but utmost confidence in the men in this locker room, players and coaches included. It’s going to take all of us to come together, block out the noise. Can’t be pointing fingers.”
Tight end Dallas Goedert echoed those sentiments, emphasizing collective responsibility. “I don’t think you can put it on one thing,” Goedert noted. “It’s a collective effort. We haven’t played well in a couple of weeks. We’re going to spend this extra time looking for solutions.”
Bright Spots Few and Far Between
Were there any positives to extract from the offensive performance? The connection between quarterback Jalen Hurts and wide receiver A.J. Brown provided the few memorable moments, including a 33-yard touchdown pass and another late scoring connection that brought the final score to 24-15 after a failed two-point conversion attempt.
Brown, who had previously expressed frustration about his role in the offense, has seen more targets in recent weeks. He followed up an eight-catch, 110-yard performance against Dallas with another productive outing against the Bears, though it wasn’t enough to prevent consecutive defeats.
Patullo’s Background
How did Patullo end up in this high-pressure position? The coach was promoted to offensive coordinator on February 19, 2025, replacing Kellen Moore who left to become the head coach of the New Orleans Saints. Before his promotion, Patullo served as passing game coordinator and was part of the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX winning staff.
The 43-year-old brings considerable experience to the role, having previously worked with the Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, and Kansas City Chiefs. His NFL coaching career spans both offense and special teams, supplemented by college football experience as a graduate assistant and offensive analyst.
That pedigree hasn’t translated to consistent offensive production this season, however, leaving Sirianni to defend his coordinator while fans increasingly voice their displeasure.
As the Eagles enter their bye week with momentum firmly against them, the question becomes whether Sirianni’s vote of confidence will hold — or if mounting pressure might eventually force his hand. For now, Patullo remains at the controls of an offense desperately searching for answers.
