‘Like a Division Game’: Eagles Coach Nick Sirianni Previews Reunion with Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon

Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni and Arizona Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon seem to be back on good terms after some parting shots delivered by Gannon when he left as the Eagles DC for the Cardinals' head coaching job.

Jonathan Gannon never boarded the plane with the Philadelphia Eagles after last year’s Super Bowl, staying behind to be named the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals instead.

There’s nothing he can do now about returning to the city where he spent the previous two years as the team’s defensive coordinator. The Cardinals have to play the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Week 17, so Gannon will have to be there. So too will his former boss, head coach Nick Sirianni, and several players he used to coach.

Gannon did a lot of bold talking on his way out the door, taking credit for being the team’s savior by suggesting that Sirianni hand off play calling to then-offensive coordinator Shane Steichen, taking shots at the media for wanting him fired, and lied about having no contact with Cardinals officials about the job opening before the Super Bowl.

Then the Cardinals were hit with draft penalties for illegal tampering with Gannon.

Sirianni wasn’t happy about how it ended but said on Monday that it is a non-issue now.

Nick Sirianni and Jonathan Gannon / USA Today

“Obviously all those questions have been asked and answered,” he said. “I have a great deal of respect for Jonathan and the coach that he is and the person that he is. I'm looking forward to going against him this weekend.

“I know the players that I've talked to feel the same way. Obviously, we didn't finish the job last year, which all of us have the taste in our mouths of like, ‘Dang, wish we had finished the job,’ but there were still some special moments, a lot of special moments. I think we can all agree there were a lot of special moments last year, and also in 2021, and Jonathan Gannon was a big part of that.”

He added that he values his relationship with Gannon.

“Any time he thanks me for the opportunity for being here, I always in return thank him because his service to this team and the special things we did while he was the defensive coordinator here was enough payback for me tenfold,” said Sirianni.

“…I'm always rooting for Coach Gannon, very similar to how I root for (Colts head) Coach (Shane) Steichen. But, this will be the week that I will not be rooting for him, obviously.”

Meanwhile in Phoenix on Monday, Gannon said he and Sirianni have been in touch throughout the season.

“He’s helped me a good deal moving throughout this year with some different things,” Gannon said. “He’s always a resource for me. Obviously, we’re extremely tight, but yeah, it’ll be the Eagles versus the Cardinals. Compete, compete, compete.”

Gannon didn’t make many friends among the fan base during his time in town, but said he wasn’t concerned about the negative reception he could potentially receive.

The Cardinals coach said he has watched the Eagles from afar but hasn’t paid too much attention to them.

“I started on Monday,” he said. “I know they’re 11-4 battling for the one seed. A really good football team in all three phases. A lot of premium players, a lot of good players over there (who are) well coached and they play hard. It’s going to be a big-time challenge.”

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Arizona (3-12) can play spoiler these final two games, beginning with the Eagles, who are trying to snap an 18-year drought of not having a repeat champion of the NFC East, then ending with the Seattle Seahawks, who are fighting for a wildcard playoff spot.

Familiarity should cut both ways, with the Eagles familiar with Gannon and his defensive tendencies and Gannon knowing the Eagles’ offensive tendencies.

“You use every tool, but they’re a little bit of a different team too as I’m watching the tape now,” said Gannon. “They’ve got some different people in there and a new play-caller, but yeah, we’ll use the things that we think can help us win.”

Added Sirianni: “There is familiarity on both sides, and I think it's almost like - the familiarity of the players is different, but it's almost like a division game in the sense of there is a lot of familiarity on both sides of what's happening.”