Nick Saban congratulates Jalen Hurts on becoming NFL’s highest-paid player

At one point, it didn’t seem like Jalen Hurts had an NFL future. That was back when Nick Saban benched him during the national championship. Now, Hurts is coming off a trip to the Super Bowl and has signed a five year, $225 million contract extension.

Saban knows that Hurts deserves all of his success too. He explained this while congratulating Hurts on becoming the NFL’s highest-paid player.

“Well, first of all, we’re happy for Jalen, his family, and he’s been rewarded for just what you said,” Nick Saban said. “Couldn’t find a better guy, can’t find a better leader, can’t find a more determined, hard working guy that’s got great sense of purpose.”

“Couldn’t find a better guy, can’t find a better leader, can’t find a more determined, hard working guy that’s got great sense of purpose” said Nick Saban when asked about Jalen Hurts’ $255M contract extension, making him the highest-paid player in NFL history. @AlabamaFTBL… pic.twitter.com/MpxSkbGP1b

— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) April 19, 2023

“[He] not only understands what he wants to do, but he has a willingness to do all the things that he needed to do to develop and get it done,” Saban continued. “And my hat’s off to him. They had a great year, the Eagles, this year and he had a great year, and we’re just happy that the organization recognized the fact that he’s going to be their quarterback for a long time.”

Nick Saban and Jalen Hurts will always be linked to one another because of the decision to bench Hurts. It will always demonstrate how Hurts has been able to overcome adversity and become one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks.

As for Nick Saban, he is still clearly proud of Jalen Hurts, and it sounds like even back then Saban knew that Hurts had this in him.

Dak Prescott reacted to the Jalen Hurts extension

After Jalen Hurts signed his extension, Dallas Cowboys starting quarterback Dak Prescott weighed in on the massive deal. It was a huge deal done efficiently, unlike Prescott’s own extension that he signed in 2021.

“Congratulations,” Prescott said. “I’m proud of him… I’m a fan of the way he plays the game. I’m not a fan of his team and when they have success necessarily, but I’m a fan of Jalen. … He deserves every bit of [the new contract].”

As Prescott explained, he’s all for every quarterback getting their money. That includes Lamar Jackson, who is currently in ugly negotiations with the Baltimore Ravens.

“I support those guys getting their money. Hopefully he’s next and he tops Jalen.”