Philadelphia Eagles' head coach Nick Sirianni, left, speaks with Eagles' defensive tackle Fletcher Cox during an Eagles practice held at the NovaCare Complex in Philadelphia on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023.  The Philadelphia Eagles will play the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII in Arizona on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023.

Philadelphia Eagles Prepare For The Super Bowl 12

Players endorse Eagles coach Nick Sirianni

Super Bowl runner-up last season and 11 victories in 2023 are enough for Fletcher Cox to passionately endorse the Eagles bringing back head coach Nick Sirianni.

Cox, who said he hadn’t decided whether to play another season, didn’t hesitate when asked whether Sirianni should be back in 2024.

“What is there to talk about? This man is a winner,” Cox said Wednesday. “He’s a winner head coach. Did we have some bumps this year? Yeah. But every team … goes through it.

“But we don’t look at firing a man who has won 10-plus games two years in a row … (made the playoffs) three years in a row. Have some respect. He’s a good leader for this team, and he does a really good job. Did we come up short? Yeah. Did things happen this year? Yeah.”

The Eagles lost five of their final six regular-season games and then dropped a 32-9 decision in the NFC wild-card round Monday at Tampa Bay.

Siranni said after the game he wasn’t thinking about his future, in question despite a 34-17 regular-season record, because of the end-of-season nosedive and poor showing against the Buccaneers.

Players in the locker room were speaking out on his behalf two days later.

“Think Nick’s a great coach, great head coach,” center Jason Kelce said. “Obviously nobody was good enough this year. I wasn’t, none of the players, none of the coaches were good enough down the stretch. That’s the reality of this business. It’s a collective thing.

“He does a lot of things structurally and organizationally that I think are really well done. Obviously we’ve got a lot of things to fix to improve the outlook of the offense in general, from my perspective, for next year, but I think very, very highly of Nick Sirianni.”

Kelce said reports of his retirement are premature, and he remains undecided about his NFL future.

–Field Level Media

Feb 6, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata (68) speaks with media during Super Bowl Opening Night at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles notebook: Jordan Mailata pays homage to Jason Kelce

Three years after being drafted in the seventh round, former Australian rugby player Jordan Mailata is starting at left tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl.

Mailata, 25, credits center Jason Kelce for helping him become so successful so quickly. He started 16 games for the NFC East champions in 2022.

And Mailata used more than his words to prove his point. He held up his cellphone during an interview on Monday at Super Bowl LVII Opening Night in Phoenix, displaying a photo of Kelce as his background screen.

“That’s Fat Batman,” Mailata said. “That’s how much of an inspiration he is to me. It’s an honor playing with Jason Kelce and the player and the person that he is. You couldn’t ask for a better teammate and leader.”

–There’s no questioning the toughness of Eagles All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson, who put off surgery to repair a torn core muscle until after the season.

The 10-year Eagles veteran thrives on challenges and is ready for a big one on the other side of the line Sunday when he opposes Chiefs All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones.

“I think Chris Jones is the premier guy in the league,” Johnson said. “His ability to rush the passer and play the run at his size, and what he can do with his size — 6-6 and 310, 315 — he just dominated really every game he’s been a part of.”

Jones matched his career high with 15.5 sacks during the regular season and recorded two against the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship Game.

“There’s times he will line up on the right tackle, left tackle,” Johnson said. “I feel like what they do is they just try to go down the line and see what mismatches they have.”

–The Philadelphia defense allowed a combined 14 points and 391 total yards in playoff wins against the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers.

“Really we just hold each other accountable and complement each other,” Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox said. “It doesn’t matter what it is. We complement each other in everything that we’re doing. For me, when you’re doing stuff like that, it’s just so special.”

Philadelphia led the NFL with 70 sacks during the regular season and became the first team in NFL history with four players collecting double-digit sacks: Haason Reddick with 16 and Javon Hargrave, Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham with 11 each.

Cox, 32, who had seven sacks in his 11th season with the Eagles, said it will be business as usual Sunday against the Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

“We’ve just got to continue doing what we’re doing,” Cox said. “I don’t think anybody in our room is going to try to do anything special. We’ve just got to stick to what we’ve been doing all year and when we get an opportunity to get him on the ground, we’ve gotta get him on the ground.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 31, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Carolina Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) breaks up a pass intended for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Tajae Sharpe (4) in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

NFL transaction roundup: Panthers’ Donte Jackson agrees to 3-year deal

Carolina Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson agreed to terms on a three-year contract on Saturday.

Financial terms were not disclosed by the team, however NFL Network reported it was a $35.1 million deal.

Jackson, 26, recorded 61 tackles, two interceptions and one forced fumble in 12 games (all starts) last season. He missed the final five games due to a groin injury.

Jackson has 209 tackles, 12 interceptions and one sack in 55 career games (51 starts) since being selected by the Panthers in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

–Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox and running back Boston Scott agreed to terms on one-year contracts.

The Eagles released Cox on Thursday in hopes of re-signing the six-time Pro Bowl selection to a reworked deal. Multiple reports said the two sides agreed on a $14 million deal.

Cox, 31, had 35 tackles and 3.5 sacks last season. He recorded 443 tackles, 142 quarterback hits, 58 sacks, 14 forced fumbles and 12 fumble recoveries, and has scored three touchdowns in 156 career games (150 starts).

Scott, 26, had 87 carries for 373 yards and seven touchdowns in 16 games last season. He has rushed for 992 yards and added 499 receiving yards for 14 total touchdowns (13 rushing, one receiving) in 43 career games with the Eagles.

–Atlanta Falcons hybrid offensive threat Cordarrelle Patterson agreed to terms on a contract, NFL Network reported.

Terms were not disclosed in the deal for the wide receiver-turned-running back, who enjoyed a breakout season in 2021.

Patterson, 31, recorded career-high totals in carries (153), rushing yards (618), rushing touchdowns (six), receiving yards (548) and receiving touchdowns (five). His 52 catches matched his career-high total, set in 2016 with the Minnesota Vikings.

Patterson has collected 1,635 rushing yards, 2,635 receiving yards and 37 touchdowns (14 rushing, 15 receiving, eight special teams) in 143 career games with the Vikings, then-Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears and Falcons. He was selected by Minnesota with the 29th overall pick of the 2013 NFL Draft.

–Kicker Randy Bullock is returning to the Tennessee Titans.

The Tennessean reported Bullock is signing a two-year contract.

Bullock, 32, signed with the Titans last September after an injury to Sam Ficken. He hit 26 of 31 field goal attempts with a long of 51, and also converted 42 of 45 field extra-point tries.

Three of his field goals were game winners.

The Titans are Bullock’s sixth team. A fifth-round draft pick in 2012 by Houston, he also has spent time with the Texans, New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers.

In 123 career games, he has made 83.3 percent of his field goal tries (194 of 233) and 95.2 percent of extra points (194 of 233).

–Quarterback Garrett Gilbert agreed to terms with the Las Vegas Raiders, his agent announced.

Gilbert, 30, spent part of last season on the practice squad of the Patriots, working with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, now the Raiders head coach.

Originally a sixth-round draft pick in 2014, Gilbert has appeared in eight games through his career with Carolina, Cleveland, Dallas and Washington. He’s 0-2 as a starter and has completed 43 of 75 pass attempts for 477 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

–The Cleveland Browns are trading veteran quarterback Case Keenum to the Buffalo Bills for a 2022 seventh-round draft pick, NFL Network reported.

Keenum, 34, won both of his starts for Cleveland in 2021, completing 47 of 72 passes for 462 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.

He is 29-35 as a starter with six NFL teams since 2013, passing for 14,876 yards with 78 TDs and 48 interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Nov 22, 2020; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens  quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) warms up prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens QB Jackson activated from reserve/COVID-19 list

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team announced Monday.

The reigning NFL MVP was not alone, as the Ravens also activated fullback Patrick Ricard, long snapper Morgan Cox and defensive tackle Justin Madubuike from the list.

The moves come one day ahead of the Ravens’ clash against the visiting Dallas Cowboys (3-8).

Jackson, 23, tested positive for COVID-19 on Thanksgiving and sat out Baltimore’s 19-14 setback to Pittsburgh on Wednesday. The loss was the third straight for the Ravens (6-5).

“So, he’s really lockstep, each and every step through,” Baltimore offensive coordinator Greg Roman said. “The only thing he can’t do is, obviously, be here at the facility and actually take part in it. But, mentally, he’s right on it.”

Jackson has thrown for 1,948 yards with 15 touchdowns and six interceptions in 10 games this season. He has also rushed for a team-leading 575 yards and three scores.

Trace McSorley will serve as the primary backup to Jackson after Robert Griffin III was placed on injured reserve on Friday with an ailing hamstring.

–Field Level Media

Nov 22, 2020; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens  quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) warms up prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens QB Jackson activated from reserve/COVID-19 list

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team announced Monday.

The reigning NFL MVP was not alone, as the Ravens also activated fullback Patrick Ricard, long snapper Morgan Cox and defensive tackle Justin Madubuike from the list.

The moves come one day ahead of the Ravens’ clash against the visiting Dallas Cowboys (3-8).

Jackson, 23, tested positive for COVID-19 on Thanksgiving and sat out Baltimore’s 19-14 setback to Pittsburgh on Wednesday. The loss was the third straight for the Ravens (6-5).

“So, he’s really lockstep, each and every step through,” Baltimore offensive coordinator Greg Roman said. “The only thing he can’t do is, obviously, be here at the facility and actually take part in it. But, mentally, he’s right on it.”

Jackson has thrown for 1,948 yards with 15 touchdowns and six interceptions in 10 games this season. He has also rushed for a team-leading 575 yards and three scores.

Trace McSorley will serve as the primary backup to Jackson after Robert Griffin III was placed on injured reserve on Friday with an ailing hamstring.

–Field Level Media

Nov 22, 2020; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens  quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) warms up prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens QB Jackson activated from reserve/COVID-19 list

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team announced Monday.

The reigning NFL MVP was not alone, as the Ravens also activated fullback Patrick Ricard, long snapper Morgan Cox and defensive tackle Justin Madubuike from the list.

The moves come one day ahead of the Ravens’ clash against the visiting Dallas Cowboys (3-8).

Jackson, 23, tested positive for COVID-19 on Thanksgiving and sat out Baltimore’s 19-14 setback to Pittsburgh on Wednesday. The loss was the third straight for the Ravens (6-5).

“So, he’s really lockstep, each and every step through,” Baltimore offensive coordinator Greg Roman said. “The only thing he can’t do is, obviously, be here at the facility and actually take part in it. But, mentally, he’s right on it.”

Jackson has thrown for 1,948 yards with 15 touchdowns and six interceptions in 10 games this season. He has also rushed for a team-leading 575 yards and three scores.

Trace McSorley will serve as the primary backup to Jackson after Robert Griffin III was placed on injured reserve on Friday with an ailing hamstring.

–Field Level Media