Report: Eagles players, coaches surprised by QB switch vs. Washington

The New York Giants weren't the only team surprised by the Philadelphia Eagles' late-game decision on Sunday Night Football.

Players and coaches on the Eagles sidelines were stunned by head coach Doug Pederson's choice to pull Jalen Hurts for third-stringer Nate Sudfeld with the team down by three points, reports Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Two defensive players were held back from approaching Pederson, and center Jason Kelce and another offensive player asked the coach directly why Hurts was lifted with 12 minutes left in the game, McLane reports, citing team sources.

Already eliminated from the postseason, the Eagles had nothing to play for in the regular-season finale. However, Philadelphia was embroiled in a winnable game that was a must-win for Washington to clinch the NFC East title. The Giants would have been crowned division champs had Washington lost.

Sudfeld hadn't appeared in a game since 2018, and many Eagles players and coaches didn't foresee him entering the contest if the score was close, according to McLane.

Pederson defended the move postgame, saying he was "coaching to win" and also wanted Sudfeld to get some snaps.

The Giants took issue with the decision, with head coach Joe Judge suggesting the Eagles disrespected the game by not putting forth a full effort with everyone in the league sacrificing to play during a global pandemic.