Update on Jalen Hurts future with the Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles have been hesitant to commit to Jalen Hurts as their quarterback of the future. While the franchise used second round selection to bring him to Philadelphia, rumors have swirled that the Eagles aren’t convinced Hurts’ status as starter is final.
In his chance this season, he’s attempting to leave them with no other choice than to give him the keys to the car.
Hurts knows nothing is guaranteed in the game of football. At Alabama, he was pulled at halftime of the national championship. After biding his time and transferring to Oklahoma, Hurts became a Heisman contender.
The signal-caller has been continually overlooked throughout his career. Even in the NFL Draft, Hurts wasn’t mentioned among the top quarterbacks — Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert mentioned tiers above him.
Even when the Eagles drafted Hurts, they had Carson Wentz on their roster as their quarterback of the future. While that situation has since been resolved, Hurts has still be considered a placeholder for a different, future quarterback.
However, Hurts’ play in 2021 is making the Eagles think differently. According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Hurts is playing his way into making the Eagles believe he’s the future.
“If Hurts keeps playing like this, sources say, the Eagles would get their best outcome possible. No search for a QB, because they would have one for the future that they are excited about,” wrote Rapoport. “And the ability to use their definite two and likely three first-round picks on other positions to build their team.”
Instead of trading a kings ransom for a quarterback, or using draft assets to select a young quarterback, Hurts being the future changes everything.
Jalen Hurts in 2021
If Hurts can keep up his tremendous play, the Eagles will have no choice but to go with the former Alabama and Oklahoma quarterback. Aside from his exemplary leadership abilities, his play on the field has given the Eagles tremendous hope.
Throwing the football, Hurts has limited his turnovers and been efficient. To illustrate, Hurts has passed for 2,306 yards on the season — amassing 13 touchdowns to just five interceptions.
Additionally, Hurts ability rushing the football adds an entirely different dynamic to his game. Using his legs, Hurts has ran for 618 yards and eight touchdowns on the season. In a league where mobile quarterbacks are all the rage, Hurts is one of the best using his fast-feet.
As a result of Hurts’ play, the Eagles are 5-6 and right in the thick of the NFC playoff race. If Philadelphia can go on an unlikely run after being predicted to be a bottom-dweller, many will want to see Hurts with some more talent around him.
Jalen Hurts has been overlooked and almost disrespected – even when finding success – at Alabama, at Oklahoma and now in Philadelphia. Moving forward, Hurts is letting his play do the talking — you can’t overlook him anymore.