When Kyle McCord first walked through the doors of the NovaCare Complex this spring, the rookie quarterback expected the typical NFL experience—cold, corporate, and cutthroat. What he found instead was something that caught him completely off guard: a culture that reminded him more of his college days than the business-first mentality that defines most professional locker rooms.
"It feels like a college program," McCord told Kay Adams on Up & Adams, and those words carry more weight than you might think. In a league where egos clash and relationships are often transactional, McCord's assessment reveals the secret sauce behind Nick Sirianni's remarkable transformation of the Eagles.
Just over a year ago, critics were calling for Sirianni's head. The Eagles had stumbled out of the gate, and the whispers about a "dead coach walking" grew louder with each passing week. Fast forward to today, and Sirianni is sitting on 48-20 record in the regular season, with a playoff record of 6-3, two Super Bowl appearances, and one championship ring. The organization was so convinced of his vision that they extended his contract on Monday—with a full year still remaining on his current deal.
McCord, a Philadelphia native who grew up idolizing Donovan McNabb, sees firsthand what makes this culture special.
"I don't think he gets his flowers," the rookie said about Sirianni. "He got there, and immediately they started winning. Going to [the] Super Bowl." But it's not just about the wins and losses. It's about how those victories are achieved.
When McCord describes the Eagles' environment as feeling like a college program, he's highlighting something crucial that separates successful NFL teams from the rest of the pack. College programs thrive on tight-knit bonds, shared sacrifice, and a genuine sense of brotherhood that extends beyond the field.
"You can just tell, like immediately, when you walk into the facility. It's just a tight-knit group," McCord explained. "I feel like that all starts with him."
This isn't about participation trophies or feel-good moments. Sirianni has created an environment built on accountability without arrogance, and swagger without entitlement. It's a delicate balance that allows rookies like McCord to feel valued while ensuring veterans stay hungry.
McCord's journey to Philadelphia reads like destiny. Drafted in the sixth round, he's reunited with recently hired quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler—the same coach who first offered him a scholarship way back in eighth grade. "We go way back," McCord laughed, but that connection represents something larger about Sirianni’s approach.
The head coach values continuity and relationships. He understands that football, at its core, is still a people business. When players feel genuinely connected to their coaches and teammates, they're willing to sacrifice more and push harder when it matters most.
"What really stands out is how quickly he moves through progressions and how quickly his mind works," Sirianni said about McCord post-draft. For a coach who prizes decisiveness and quick thinking, finding players who fit that mold isn’t just about talent—it’s about cultural fit.
McCord finds himself in a familiar position for young Eagles quarterbacks. He’s fighting for QB3 against Dorian Thompson-Robinson for a chance to back up Jalen Hurts and Tanner McKee, fighting for every snap and every opportunity to prove himself.
But if recent history is any indication, being an underdog in Philadelphia isn't necessarily a bad thing. Hurts himself entered the organization as a second-round question mark. Now he’s the franchise cornerstone, leading the team to a Super Bowl victory. The blueprint exists, and McCord is positioned to absorb every lesson along the way.
Sirianni’s system thrives on internal competition. Players aren't handed anything, but they're given every opportunity to earn their place. That approach has created an environment where even the third-string quarterback feels like he has a legitimate path to success.
While culture and chemistry matter, results speak loudest in the NFL. Sirianni’s .701 winning percentage trails only four Hall of Fame coaches in league history. Two Super Bowl appearances in four years puts him in rarified air, drawing comparisons to coaching legends.
But perhaps more impressive than the statistical achievements is the way Sirianni navigated adversity. When the Eagles stumbled to a 2-2 start last season, he didn’t panic or make wholesale changes. Instead, he recalibrated and led the team on a remarkable 16-1 sprint to championship glory.