One never knows what they’ll see from Nick Sirianni weekly. What we do know is that his responses and words will be honest and genuine. He tried to button it up for a while. Then, the Philadelphia Eagles players he leads offered their expectations. What they asked for might surprise you.
They told their head coach that he needed to be authentic. He needed to stop living his life based on recommendations. His players wanted the old Nick Sirianni. He obliged, and his second trip to the Super Bowl was successful.
Fast forward to the present, and Coach Sirianni has a decision to make. There’s a familiar question being asked, one we asked last season for a different reason.
Should Philadelphia rest its starters in Week 18? The answer to that question is ‘yes’.
As is customary, the Eagles‘ head coach made his weekly appearance on 94 WIP-FM’s Morning Show. Indeed, they’d ask the question. If you’ve been paying attention, you probably already know what his answer was. Let’s take a moment and answer what it should be.
The Eagles should absolutely play their starters in Week 18.
“It is not something that is finalized.”
Those were Coach Sirianni’s words during his Tuesday morning chat with The Morning Team. There you have it, straight from the source. Credit The Morning Team for doing its job and asking the question. Credit Philadelphia’s head coach for keeping his cards close to his vest.
Nick Sirianni on if Eagles starters will play on Sunday:
“It’s not something that we haven’t talked through yet. Is it something that is finalized and we know exactly what we’re going to do yet? No, we have time.” pic.twitter.com/HX50WukUd3
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) December 30, 2025
Tough, detailed, and together… That’s his team’s mantra. Here’s one of his. You know I’m going to keep every conversation with a player private, so while we wait for an official answer, let’s offer opinions.
Should Philadelphia play its starters? Here’s a better question. Why wouldn’t they?
Perhaps the most significant victory in Week 17, outside of the score, was that the Eagles escaped their trip to upstate New York without substantial injuries. Vic Fangio’s unit seems ready, but there is concern about this team’s offensive readiness heading into the postseason.
There is also still something to play for. Philadelphia can claim the second seed with a win and a loss by the Chicago Bears. If they were locked into the third, by all means, they should rest, but putting their best foot forward could be the difference in traveling to play the Bears down the road or hosting them if the situation called for it.
Naturally, the fear here is getting guys injured, and there is confidence that a Tanner McKee-led offense would be strong enough to win in Week 18 anyway, but here’s the better idea. Maybe the Eagles can play the first half, put the game out of reach, and rest later once victory is assured.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles should play their starters in Week 18 vs. the Commanders
