Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni did not hide his frustration following a 24–7 preseason opening defeat against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. With starting quarterback Jalen Hurts sidelined for the contest, the game served as a critical evaluation period for the backup quarterback battle between Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee, though neither player managed to provide a spark for the offense.
Reflecting on the team's struggles, Sirianni emphasized the need for a collective improvement rather than pinning the blame solely on the signal-callers. He noted that the team had 40 offensive plays but failed to maintain drives, leaving the defense on the field for an extended duration. According to Sirianni, the inability to convert on third down was a systemic issue across the entire offense, and he confirmed that the coaching staff would review the game tape to address the lack of production.
The offensive output remained stagnant throughout the first three quarters, during which the Eagles failed to record a single scoring drive and combined for only 55 total passing yards. Andy Dalton opened the game and played through three offensive possessions, finishing 3-of-6 for 20 yards as the team went three-and-out on every drive. Tanner McKee then entered for four series, completing 6-of-10 attempts for 35 yards, with all his drives ending in punts. It was not until third-string quarterback Cole Payton took the field that the Eagles found the end zone, connecting with Erik Ezukanma for the team's only touchdown.
The performance drew criticism, including from former Chiefs offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz, who described the Eagles' inability to move the chains as embarrassing, noting that the team recorded only two first downs late into the fourth quarter. Overall, Philadelphia finished with 165 total yards, averaging 4.0 yards per play, with 89 passing yards and 76 rushing yards. This preseason opener marks a challenging start for Sirianni, who is entering his sixth season as head coach, a tenure that has included playoff appearances in every year since 2021 and two Super Bowl trips.
