Head Coach Nick Sirianni’s Bold Trust in Jaelan Phillips Defines a New Era of “The Eagles Way” in Gritty Win Over Packers
In the icy December air of Lambeau Field, where legends are born and reputations are shattered, the Philadelphia Eagles walked into a grind-it-out battle with the Green Bay Packers and emerged with a bruising 10–7 victory. But beyond the score, beyond the cold, beyond the roar of the Wisconsin crowd, a deeper story unfolded — one centered around trust, belief, and a linebacker who refused to let his moment slip away.
That linebacker was Jaelan Phillips, the Eagles’ newest defensive weapon, a player who arrived in Philadelphia carrying both promise and questions. But on Sunday night, under the glare of prime-time lights, he delivered the kind of performance that instantly rewrites narratives.
From the opening snap, Phillips played like a force unchained — slicing through blocks, blowing up run plays, and showing the burst that once made him one of the most feared young defenders in the league. Yet his production, as impressive as it was, wasn’t what resonated across the locker room and Eagles Nation.
What resonated was Nick Sirianni’s unwavering decision to trust him, even when the game hung by a thread.
When asked why he kept Phillips in during the most pressure-packed moments of the fourth quarter, Sirianni didn’t hesitate. His response echoed the foundation he has been building in Philadelphia since his arrival:
“I trusted him because I saw what we call the Eagles spirit in him — humility, effort, and the will to give everything for the team. He doesn’t talk much, he just works. He fights for his brothers. That’s the kind of player you want in a battle — someone who doesn’t chase the spotlight, only the chance to protect his team.”
Those words swept through social media like wildfire. Within minutes, Eagles fans were calling Phillips “the embodiment of the Eagles Way,” praising his grit, humility, and team-first attitude. For a fanbase that values heart as much as talent, Sirianni’s reasoning struck home.
Phillips’ journey makes the moment even more poignant. After flashes of brilliance with the Miami Dolphins, his career was derailed by injuries and inconsistencies — the kind of setbacks that can bury a player’s confidence for good. But in Philadelphia, surrounded by veterans who welcomed him and coaches who believed in him, he found a fresh start.
And on Sunday night, under frigid Midwestern skies, he seized it.
Phillips spoke softly after the win, but his words carried weight:
“I’m just thankful to be here, part of a team that believes in each other like family.”
This wasn’t just a debut — it was a rebirth.
The Eagles’ victory may fade into the long list of hard-fought winter games, but this storyline won’t. It was a declaration: that the Eagles succeed not just because of star power, but because of the culture Sirianni has built — a culture of belief, toughness, and unity.
Philadelphia left Lambeau with more than a win.
They left with a new defender rising.
A coach reaffirming his philosophy.
And an entire fanbase reminded of what makes this team special.
This is the Eagles Way — and Jaelan Phillips just became one of its strongest voices.
Steelers Fans Spot Mike Tomlin’s Surprising Trend in Shaping NFL Legacies
When it was first reported that the Pittsburgh Steelers were visiting with free-agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., nobody was surprised that Mike Tomlin was interested in acquiring the talented cornerback... and it's not just because the Steelers had a need at the CB position.
Over the years, it's become increasingly clear that Tomlin values strong NFL bloodlines. And his team put this on display once again when Pittsburgh officially signed Samuel Jr. to the practice squad.
Tomlin and the Steelers expressed interest in Samuel ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft, and taking the former Florida State Seminole in the first round was on the table. Eventually, Samuel fell out of the first round and landed with the Los Angeles Chargers with the 47th overall pick in the second round.
Sadly, in his fourth NFL season, Samuel suffered a neck injury during a collision in practice, which ultimately required a spinal fusion surgery in April 2025. Now we've learned that the Steelers' team doctor, Dr. David Okonkwo, performed the surgery, per NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
Since Samuel Jr. hit free agency after his rookie contract expired during the 2025 offseason, all signs pointed to Pittsburgh... and it's easy to see why.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin values Asante Samuel Jr.'s strong NFL bloodlines
Asante Samuel Jr. is the son of former NFL All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel, who is most known for his impressive performances with the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles during the 2000s.
So when his son began to follow in his footsteps, it was only a matter of time before Coach Tomlin took notice. One year after passing on Samuel in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Joey Porter Jr. with the 32nd overall pick in the 2025 draft—the son of Steelers legend Joey Porter.
It's not just the sons of former NFL superstars that Tomlin has gone after over the years; it's any strong NFL bloodlines. In 2022, the Steelers briefly made history by having four sets of brothers on their 90-man roster (Cam and Conner Heyward, T.J. and Derek Watt, Trey and Terrell Edmunds, and Carlos and Khalil Davis).
Samuel Jr. has been cleared to play, but he will begin his NFL comeback on the practice squad. Despite his underwhelming size (5'10'', 180 pounds), Samuel Jr. has been almost exclusively a boundary cornerback during his first four seasons with the Chargers.
If all goes well, Samuel could earn a promotion to the active roster if he can get up to speed over the next few weeks and begin to carve out a role on defense. With the Steelers' need at cornerback and Tomlin's love for NFL family connections, signing Asante Samuel Jr. was a move fans saw coming a mile away.
