The Philadelphia Eagles are reassessing their quarterback situation after a disappointing end to the season, particularly regarding Jalen Hurts. Following a quick postseason exit, leadership is contemplating the next steps for the team moving forward.
Entering the playoffs with aspirations for a championship, the Eagles faced an abrupt end with a 23-19 loss against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Wild Card Round. During this game, a critical touchdown by the Eagles was nullified due to an “exception” in the rules, sparking significant scrutiny directed at Hurts and the team”s offensive approach.
Hurts” performance highlighted several lingering issues throughout the season. He completed 20 of 35 passes for 168 yards and one touchdown, failing to create explosive plays, ultimately leading to a lackluster offensive output in the postseason.
Head coach Nick Sirianni recently expressed his thoughts on a sideline confrontation with receiver AJ Brown. While Hurts managed to avoid turnovers and sacks, the passing game struggled to challenge the 49ers” defense, a concern that has been echoed within the organization as the season progressed.
Speculation has begun to circulate regarding the Eagles” plans for the offseason. As reported by Michael Silver from The Athletic, there are internal discussions about potentially drafting a quarterback this spring. Sources indicate that Hurts has been a source of frustration for some within the organization, including teammates beyond Brown. Backup quarterback Tanner McKee is reportedly well-regarded among the team”s executives.
Despite the rumors, the Eagles have publicly reaffirmed their commitment to Hurts. Sirianni and general manager Howie Roseman addressed the quarterback”s role while recognizing the offensive struggles. “We all had a hand in our offense this year,” said Sirianni. “Good, bad, you name it, we all had a hand in it.” He emphasized his confidence in Hurts as a leader for the team, stating, “I love Jalen Hurts. I love everything that he brings to the table.” He acknowledged the necessity for improvement, however, remarking on the team”s inability to meet expectations on offense.
Hurts” statistics present a complicated picture. He completed the season with a 64.8 percent pass completion rate, totaling 3,224 yards, 25 touchdowns, and six interceptions, while also contributing eight rushing touchdowns. Nonetheless, the Eagles ranked 23rd in passing yards, with Hurts throwing for under 200 yards in ten games, including the playoff loss where he failed to connect with wide receivers on passes longer than 15 yards.
Roseman highlighted Hurts” overall contributions when discussing the team”s future direction. “We”ve won a lot of games with Jalen as our quarterback,” he remarked, adding that the team secured a world championship with Hurts as the MVP in that game. Hurts boasts a record of 57-25 as a starter, a total surpassed by only seven quarterbacks in their first 82 starts.
Changes are inevitable for the Eagles, as they have already dismissed offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo. This decision means Hurts will be adapting to his seventh play caller in six seasons. Sirianni expressed confidence in Hurts” ability to adjust, stating, “Jalen always proved this to everybody, that he”ll do whatever it takes to win football games.” His focus remains on winning and achieving success by the end of the year.
