How safe is Nick Sirianni?

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni is four for four when it comes to making the playoffs. And yet there’s still a sense that Sirianni isn’t a high-end NFL coach.

It’s not just a media thing. Despite a 13-4 season, Sirianni has become a 100-1 afterthought in the betting for coach of the year. And it all flows from the perception that the Eagles have the most overall talent in the league. So much talent that they thrive not because of Sirianni but in spite of him.

At times, he acts like a fan who won a contest to be coach for a day. For example, he jawed with folks in the crowd late in a win over the Browns. More recently, he reportedly got into something with Commanders tight end Zach Ertz that required Big Dom to intervene.

It’s fair to ask whether another coach would be able to nudge this impressive collection of players over the top. On Friday, Colin Cowherd offered up an interesting take. If the Eagles lose in the first- or second-round of the playoffs, Sirianni could be out — and Bill Belichick could be in.

Cowherd added that Belichick can get out of his contract with North Carolina in July. That’s not entirely accurate. As of right now, Belichick can leave with a $10 million buyout. As of June 1, the buyout drops to $1 million.

So if Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie is willing to plunk down $10 million (on top of Sirianni’s buyout and whatever it would cost to get Belichick), it can happen well before June.

Beyond Belichick, there could be other candidates. Thanks to a Christmas Day Splash! report, we now know Pete Carroll wants to back in. Chicago, in our view, isn’t a good fit. Philadelphia could be.

Others who could finish the job for a team and a fan base that is desperate to secure a bookend for the seven-year-old Lombardi Trophy include Mike Vrabel and maybe even Mike McCarthy, if the Cowboys let him walk.

Regardless, coaches are judged in large part based on their ability to help a team live up to expectations. The expectations in Philly are incredibly high. Another quick and/or embarrassing postseason exit could be enough to get ownership to conclude that, in order to win another Super Bowl, another coach is needed.