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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 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 bench, causing fans to wonder if it was tensions boiling over or a fiery competitive spirit breaking down the hatch.
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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 appreciate the moment.
“I don’t understand why Sirianni is running 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 get involved in the game, I’m pretty sure. They made two big shots with him, maybe he said, ‘Give me a chance,’ and the 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 that 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 energy.”
AJ Brown #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles leaves the field after his team’s 23-19 loss against 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 from the outside looked like “internal dysfunction.”
Syriannni explained that he was running toward 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 probably went through every emotion you can have together. We laugh together, we cry together, we yell 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 a chance to make a play on third down on the Eagles’ final four-point drive. A Jalen Hurts pass intended for the receiver slipped out of his hands. The Eagles’ advance was able to continue when they converted on fourth down.
Brown did not receive another target for the rest of the series.
San Francisco won the game, 23-19.
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni watches during 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 receptions on seven targets for 25 yards. Dallas Goedert had a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown from Hurts.
