Nick Sirianni Apologizes to Zach Ertz After Heated Exchange
In the world of professional sports, emotions can run high, and sometimes, those emotions spill over into unexpected confrontations. Such was the case recently when Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni found himself in a bit of a spat with Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz. The incident, which occurred after the Commanders’ thrilling 36-33 win over the Eagles, has been the talk of the town, and for good reason.
According to a league source, the two met on the field post-game, and things got a little heated. Apparently, Sirianni took issue with the way Ertz high-fived him, feeling it was a bit too forceful. In response, Sirianni made a comment about Ertz’s limited impact in the game, which didn’t sit well with the tight end. Ertz, who was just coming off a concussion, had one catch for 12 yards on two targets during the game.
Feeling slighted, Ertz confronted Sirianni, and the situation could have escalated further if not for the intervention of Eagles head of security, Dom DiSandro. The incident was first reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer, and it quickly became a hot topic among fans and analysts alike.
In the aftermath, Sirianni reached out to Ertz to apologize for the exchange. “I’ll just keep all of my conversations with any guys private,” Sirianni said on Thursday. “I’ve got a lot of respect for Zach. Great football player, great person to be around. I really got a lot of respect for Zach and all the good things that he’s done and my relationship with him.”
Ertz, for his part, seemed eager to put the incident behind him. “Nick and I had a great relationship when I was there, and we still have a great relationship. It’s definitely been blown way out of proportion. We spoke. We’re good. There’s no ill feelings on my part and I don’t think there are any ill feelings on his part,” he said. “It’s just something in the heat of the moment that probably got blown out of proportion and maybe a misunderstanding. But him and I are fine. Everyone knows how I feel about that place and that building, but at the same time, I love being here.”
For those who might not be familiar with Ertz’s history, he played the first eight-plus years of his career with the Eagles and is one of the most accomplished pass catchers in franchise history. He ranks second in all-time receptions (579) and fifth in receiving yards (6,267). Ertz also scored the go-ahead touchdown in Super Bowl LII against the New England Patriots, helping the Eagles capture their only Lombardi Trophy.
He played six games under Sirianni during the 2021 season before being traded to the Arizona Cardinals in October of that season. A source said there were no real issues between the two during their time together in Philadelphia.
- Ertz’s career with the Eagles: 8+ years
- All-time receptions with Eagles: 579 (2nd in franchise history)
- Receiving yards with Eagles: 6,267 (5th in franchise history)
- Super Bowl LII: Scored go-ahead touchdown
As the dust settles on this incident, it’s clear that both Sirianni and Ertz are ready to move forward. In the high-stakes world of the NFL, where every game can feel like a battle, it’s not uncommon for tempers to flare. But as both men have shown, it’s how you handle those moments that truly matters.
ESPN’s John Keim contributed to this report.
Originally Written by: Tim McManus
