NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
NFL legend Michael Strahan took issue with the heated interaction between Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni and wide receiver AJ Brown in the first half of their playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
Sirianni and Brown were seen yelling at each other on the sidelines, prompting fans to wonder if it was simmering tensions or burning competitive spirit that broke the hatch.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Michael Strahan, far left, gives the thumbs up as the New York Giants retire his jersey with former coach Tom Coughlin, far right, and former player Jessie Armstead, center. The Giants defeat the Eagles, 13-7, at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, November 28, 2021. (Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com/USA TODAY NETWORK)
The former New York Giants star didn’t seem to appreciate the moment.
“I don’t understand why Sirianni is running down there and yelling at one of his star players, AJ Brown,” Strahan said during halftime of the FOX broadcast. “You know, AJ Brown wanted to be involved in the game, I’m pretty sure. They took two big shots with him, maybe he said, ‘Give me a shot,’ and coach said, ‘You had your chance, you better catch the ball next time.’
“I don’t understand why you do it in the middle of a game like this because I don’t think it brings out the best in your players. I think it takes away from your game. I think it takes away from the team’s attitude and the team’s energy.”
AJ Brown #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles walks off the field after his team’s 23-19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
49ERS’ GEORGE KITTLE CARRIED OFF FIELD WITH ACHILLES INJURY DURING WILD CARD ROUND VS EAGLES
Strahan credited the Eagles with being able to win games with what from the outside seemed like “internal dysfunction.”
Sirianni explained that he rushed Brown to get him off the field so the team could score.
“I love AJ, I think he knows how I feel about him. I have a special relationship with him,” Sirianni said. “We probably went through all the emotions you can possibly have together. We’ve laughed together, we’ve cried together, we’ve yelled at each other. We’re both emotional. I tried to get him off the field and that’s happening in this game.
“It happens in this game, but I love him.”
Brown had an opportunity to make a play on third down on the Eagles’ final drive down four points. A Jalen Hurts pass intended for the wide receiver went off his hands. The Eagles’ drive was able to continue when they converted on fourth down.
Brown did not receive another goal for the rest of the series.
San Francisco won the game, 23-19.
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni looks on during the NFL Wild Card game between the San Fransisco 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles on Jan. 11, 2026, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. (Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
Brown had three catches on seven targets for 25 yards. Dallas Goedert had a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown from Hurts.
