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Eagles coach Nick Sirianni apologizes to Commanders' Zach Ertz for Week 16 postgame spat

Sirianni and Ertz had an on-field confrontation following Washington's 36–33 win

ian casselberry
Contributing writer
·2 min read

Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni apologized to Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz for comments that led to an on-field spat between the two following their Week 16 matchup.

Sirianni reportedly took issue with how enthusiastically Ertz high-fived him following Washington's 36–33 win and remarked how little impact the tight end had in the game. Ertz caught one pass (on two targets) for 12 yards in the win. Upon hearing the comment, Ertz confronted Sirianni and the two had to be separated by Eagles head of security Dom DiSandro.

(You may remember DiSandro for getting into a sideline scuffle during a game last season with San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw. The NFL banned DiSandro from the Eagles' sideline for the following game.)

The coach later called his former player (Ertz was with the Eagles from 2013-2021, playing his final season under Sirianni) and apologized, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. When asked what was said, Sirianni kept the remarks to himself.

"I'll just keep all of my conversations with any guys private," Sirianni told reporters Thursday, via ESPN. "I've got a lot of respect for Zach. Great football player, great person to be around. I really got a lot of respect for Zach and all the good things that he's done and my relationship with him."

Ertz said the entire exchange was "blown out of proportion."

Sirianni was obviously upset over losing a close game to Washington, one which likely cost them an opportunity to earn the top seed in the NFC and ended a 10-game winning streak. However, his antagonistic behavior and composure on the sideline and after games has previously been criticized.

The coach may also have been irritated at the Eagles' composure during the game, with the team committing 10 penalties and defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson getting ejected, after which he flipped off the Commanders fans at Northwest Stadium.

Philadelphia hosts the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, while Washington plays the Atlanta Falcons at 8:20 p.m. ET. If the current standings hold, the Eagles and Commanders would face each other in the opening round of the playoffs.