Even Doug Pederson’s own players were furious with the Eagles head coach for waving the white flag in Sunday night’s regular season finale.
Two Philadelphia defenders had to be restrained from confronting Pederson after he deployed third-string quarterback Nate Sudfeld in the fourth quarter of defeat to the Washington Football Team, a move immediately rebuked by former players, analysts and fans who claimed the Eagles purposely discarded the game to secure the sixth pick instead of the ninth in the NFL draft.
Sudfeld relieved rookie starter Jalen Hurts with the Eagles three points behind, threw an interception on his second pass, lost a fumble on the next possession and didn’t get close to leading his team to a comeback in the 20-14 defeat .
Pederson defended his decision, saying he wanted to get Sudfeld, a career backup, for the first time in two years.
“We struggled a little bit to move the ball,” Pederson told reporters Monday. “Defensively they kept us in the game with a few takeaways late. And my plan was to get Nate in the game. “
Pederson hinted last week that Sudfeld could see playing time, but many were stunned that he would make a change with his team well within a very short distance.
While Hurts was 7 out of 20 with one interception, he had rushed for two touchdowns and clearly gave Philadelphia, which also had multiple starters for the entire game, the best chance of beating rival Washington out of the playoffs.
After being removed from the game, the NBC cameras went to Hurts, who appeared to say, “It’s not right.” Hurts said afterwards: ‘As a competitor I play to win. You have to trust [Pederson’s plan]. “
Perhaps no team was more angry with Pederson than the Giants, who relied on the Eagles to win for their 6-10 record as it would have sent them to the playoffs over Washington.
“This is nauseating,” tweeted receiver Darius Slayton shortly after Sudfeld came into play.