Will Jalen Hurts be the Future for Eagles?
Written by: Dylan Schmittler
Over a young quarterback’s first two NFL seasons, we see traits in a quarterback. His team sees whether he can lead, command a team, and control the line of scrimmage. The fans also see whether he can handle the pressure to win and be a franchise leader. Since being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles as a second-rounder in 2020, Jalen Hurts has intrigued fans with his dual-threat abilities. Last season, Hurts got to run the Eagles as the No. 1 quarterback.
In 15 starts, Hurts threw for 3,144 yards, 16 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Hurts also rushed for 784 yards and 10 touchdowns in leading Philly back into the playoffs.
While some quarterbacks are often asked with carrying the team, Hurts is not needed to throw 40 passes in a game. Last year, the Eagles led the NFL with 159.7 rushing yards a game. With a strong running game, Hurts can manage the game with important passes in critical moments when the Eagles require them. He can also make big runs to continue long drives and keep the Eagles defense fresher late into games.
This year, Hurts will be under center with an improved offense. The Eagles added A.J. Brown in a blockbuster deal from the Tennessee Titans. Brown’s speed and strength will go well on an Eagles offense with 2021 first-rounder DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, and Miles Sanders.
Hurts is also in a compelling division with plenty of uncertainty. While the Dallas Cowboys are always in the news on and off the football field. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott continues to be a solid passer, but Dallas lost Amari Cooper and Cedric Wilson from their receiving corps.
The Washington Commanders and New York Giants. While Carson Wentz and Daniel Jones have battled uncertainty and injury concerns, Hurts can lead the Eagles to control of this division. No NFC East team has repeated as divisional champions since the 2004 Eagles.
After the Cowboys won this division last year, the Eagles may be the team capable of continuing a new NFC East champ.
Twitter offers its views of former Oklahoma sooner with how excited they are to see Hurts with all of his weapons in 2022.
Some stats are showing Hurts very similar to Buffalo Bills’ star Josh Allen’s first two years out of Wyoming. Hurts is completing more passes, throwing more passing yards per attempt with a higher passing rating than Allen over his first two years.
While Philadelphia’s fans are often hard on their athletes, Allen’s rise to stardom could lead to a breakthrough season for Hurts.
This season is important for Hurts’ future in Philly. He is eligible to receive a new contract in 2023, and the Eagles will decide whether to pay him. Philly also enters the 2023 NFL with two first-round picks. With Alabama’s Bryce Young and Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud likely top picks, Hurts will need a strong year with one of the NFL’s toughest fan bases watching him.
Whether he succeeds or not, the NFL will learn whether Jalen Hurts is the long-term starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles sooner or later.
Comments