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NFL legend Michael Strahan took issue with the heated interaction between Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni and wide receiver AJ Brown during 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, making fans wonder if it was boiling over tensions or a fiery competitive spirit coming through the trapdoor.
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Michael Strahan, far left, gives a 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 enjoy the moment.
“I don’t understand why Sirianni is running out there and yelling at one of his star players, AJ Brown,” Strahan said on the FOX halftime show. “You know, AJ Brown wanted to get involved in the play, I’m pretty sure. They made two big shots with him, maybe he said, ‘Give me a chance,’ and coach said, ‘You had your chance, you better catch the ball next time.’
“I don’t understand why you do that 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 attitude of the team and the energy from the team.”
AJ Brown #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles leaves 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)
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Strahan credited the Eagles for being able to win games with what appeared from the outside as “internal dysfunction.”
Sirianni said he was rushing Brown to get him off the field so the team could punt.
“I love AJ, I think he knows how I feel about him. I have a special relationship with him,” Sirianni said. “We’ve probably been through every emotion you can feel together. We’ve laughed together, we’ve cried together, we’ve yelled at each other. We’re both emotional. I was trying to get him off the field and that happens in this game.
“It happens in this game, but I love it.”
Brown had an opportunity to play third down on the Eagles’ final drive with four scores. A pass from Jalen Hurts intended for the wide receiver got away from him. The Eagles’ momentum was able to continue as they converted on fourth down.
Brown did not receive another target for the remainder of the series.
San Francisco won the game 23-19.
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni watches the NFL Wild Card game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles on January 11, 2026 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. (Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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Brown had three catches on seven targets for 25 yards. Dallas Goedert had a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown from Hurts.
