Nick Sirianni.
Nick Sirianni said research and studies guided the team’s Friday departure for Sunday’s game against the Jaguars
The Eagles will practice all week before their London trip, unlike their 2024 season-opening game in São Paulo
Philadelphia’s game is part of a record nine NFL international games across four continents this season
Nick Sirianni is preparing to cross the pond.
The Philadelphia Eagles head coach, 45, defended his decision about the team flying to Europe on Friday, Oct. 9 — just two days before their matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Sunday, Oct. 11.
“We felt like leaving Friday was best for our team, this team, and with the schedule that we have with the weeks coming up,” Sirianni said at a press conference on Monday, Oct. 5. “At the end of the day, I got to make those decisions, and this is the decision I chose, with the help of great people.”
“This one is a little different than our last international trip because it was our first game of the season,” he recalled of the Eagles’ season-opener in Brazil in 2024. “We’re trying to get a full week’s worth of practice in before we go up there.”
Head Coach Nick Sirianni of the Philadelphia Eagles walks the field prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams
Nick Sirianni of the Philadelphia Eagles walks the field prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams at Lincoln Financial Field on Oct. 4, 2026 in Philadelphia, Penn.
The Eagles last played internationally in September 2024, when they defeated the Green Bay Packers, 34-29, in São Paulo.
Although Sirianni’s travel plans drew mixed reactions from fans, the Super Bowl-winning coach has cited “a lot of research” and “studies” regarding the decision.
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“We felt like through the studies that we did and all the things that we looked at, we decided on this,” he said at the press conference Monday. “At the end of the day, I have to make the decision and this is the one that I chose to help this team get ready for this game this week.”
A reporter followed up by asking the Eagles head coach whether he and the team were concerned about jet lag, given the roughly seven-hour flight and the five-hour time difference between London and Philadelphia.
Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up before a game against the Los Angeles Rams
Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up before a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Lincoln Financial Field on Oct. 4, 2026 in Philadelphia, Penn.
“We feel like this is giving our team the best chance to win,” he reiterated, adding they are “taking everything into account,” including “jet lag.”
The 2026 NFL season features a record-breaking nine international games played across four continents, seven countries and eight stadiums. The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams started Week 1 in Australia, while the Minnesota Vikings and 49ers will end it in Mexico in Week 11.
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Sirianni isn’t the first coach to receive backlash over his travel plans. Rams head coach Sean McVay was slammed over his decision to fly the team on a 16-hour flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne, Australia, just 28 hours before kickoff on Sept. 10. He even roasted himself.
“Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn and sometimes you have a dumbass coach that makes travel plans that puts you in bad spots,” McVay, 40, joked to reporters last month.
Kickoff between the Eagles and Jaguars is set for 9:30 a.m. ET on Sunday.