The Philadelphia Eagles’ offense is humming again. Thursday at the NovaCare Complex smelled like fresh-cut grass and low-country boil optimism.
DeVonta Smith is on the field. And his groin injury is seemingly in the rearview. His return brings a palpable sense of relief after weeks of absence. But it was his words off the field that truly dropped jaws.
During an appearance on the 94WIP Morning Show, Smith faced a question that would make most players hesitate. He was asked to compare the intensity of his legendary college coach, Nick Saban, with his current NFL boss, Nick Sirianni.
The answer was not what anyone expected. Smith delivered a stunning admission that changes the perception of the Eagles' head man.
Smith didn't sidestep the question. He embraced it head-on. “Um, that's tough. I mean, honestly, they're really kind of the same guy,” Smith stated. He elaborated on their shared demanding nature.
"They're real serious, but they try to throw their little jokes in every now and then. But very intense coaches... It's kind of the same thing that Coach Saban tried to instill in us," Smith added. This comparison to iconic coach Saban is the highest praise possible.
And it reveals a core reason for Smith's seamless NFL transition. "I think that's what made it easy for me to transition here... the demand that Coach Sirianni has upon his players," Smith admitted. So, the culture shock simply didn't exist.
This revelation sheds new light on Sirianni’s leadership style. Fans often see the player-friendly coach discussing college basketball. They see him engaging with the passionate Philly crowd. Smith’s comments, however, peel back a layer.
They expose the intense, no-nonsense demand for excellence that simmers beneath the surface. This intensity clearly resonates with his players, forging a powerful bond.
A Foundation Built on Demands
The Sirianni-Saban parallel is no small thing. It speaks to a foundational philosophy. Both coaches are builders of men, not just playbooks. This is something Smith and teammate Landon Dickerson learned at Alabama.
Back in January, Dickerson noted Saban’s true impact was “developing those kids into young men.” Smith had echoed this, saying Saban taught them “to be men in life. Football can only take you so far, but the way you treat people and things like that, the way you carry yourself, takes you a whole lot further.”
This shared focus on accountability and character is the real link between the two Nicks. And the respect is deeply mutual.
NFL Films captured a raw moment after the NFC Championship win in January. A heartfelt exchange between Smith and Sirianni said it all. “I love you,” the coach told his star receiver. This kind of emotional bond, forged in high-stakes competition, is rare.
It transforms a team from a collection of talent into a genuine family. And it means everything for the Eagles' 2025 campaign.
An offense featuring Jalen Hurts, Smith, A.J. Brown, and Saquon Barkley is a nightmare for opponents. But talent alone doesn't win championships. It requires a unified drive and an uncompromising standard. With Smith healthy and singing his coach’s praises, Philadelphia has both.
Read more: Lane Johnson confirms retirement stance after 2025, reaffirming deciding factor
As the great screenwriter David Mamet once wrote, “Old men are fond of giving good advice, it compensates for their inability to set a bad example.” In Philly, both the young and old are following one intense, demanding, and ultimately unifying example set by their coach. The season awaits.