This week, Jalen Hurts was named as a Pro Bowl alternate, an honor the Eagles’ young quarterback rightly deserved.
Yet the doubters continued their hating ways.
I have written numerous stories over the last year about Jalen’s success in his short NFL career, and they all focus on the doubt people have for him.
Despite what he’s accomplished in his first full season as Philadelphia’s starting quarterback, many still doubt he’s a true QB #1.
They were wrong at the start of the season and they’re wrong now.
Jalen Hurts is exactly what this Eagles offense needs and head coach Nick Sirianni was smart enough to (finally) recognize his talent and construct the offense around what he, and they, do best.
Run.
Some in the media have likened the Eagles offense to a wishbone offense, a style that worked well for the Oklahoma Sooners of the 1980s but never found acceptance in the NFL.
With the run the Eagles are on (pun intended), maybe it’s time for NFL traditionalists to step aside and appreciate a modernized old-school style that’s actually working.
After losing to the Chargers in Week 9, the Eagles were 3-6 and the critics were out in full force.
They felt the team was done and questioned Hurts’ ability to be the Eagles’ starting quarterback next season.
The Eagles heard the rumblings, regrouped and went back to the ground game. And guess what?
It worked.
The team is 4-1 since that time (Gardner Minshew led them to a victory against the Jets in week 13) and would have gone 5-0 if Jalen Reagor hadn’t channeled his inner-Nelson Agholor against the Giants.
The Eagles currently sit at 7-7 and are in playoff contention with 3 games remaining (they’re one game behind the Vikings for the 7th and final playoff spot).
One of the biggest reasons for their revitalization is the play of Jalen Hurts.
While Hurts hasn’t put up big numbers like draft classmates Joe Burrow or Justin Herbert, he has been solid in leading Philadelphia’s resurgence, and he’s using his legs to help control the game.
In their last four games, he’s rushed for 239 yards and 5 TDs. Last weekend against the Washington Football Team, Hurts had, arguably, the best game of his pro career.
In their 27-17 win, Hurts threw for 296 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT that wasn’t even his fault. He also rushed for 38 yards and 2 TDs. He was the scoring machine for Philadelphia in the critical game against their division rival.
The Eagles ran all over Washington, rushing for 238 total yards and holding the ball for over 35 minutes.
Hurts also set the single-season TD rushing record for an Eagles quarterback with 10, besting greats like Randall Cunningham (6), Donovan McNabb (6) and Michael Vick (9).
Most importantly, Jalen showed poise and exerted control when it mattered most.
He kept the clock running with his legs and made key throws that helped put the Eagles in a position to win the game. He also avoided turnovers, the lone exception being Goedert’s drop that bounced off his foot and intercepted.
Jalen’s performance garnered rave reviews on Monday’s talk shows, including Get Up!, where Mike Greenberg gave him his props.
“I think if we look at some of the rookies in the league who are struggling, if THEY were playing the way Jalen Hurts is playing right now, we’d be saying, ‘Wow, they’ve really got something here,” exclaimed Greenberg.
Dan Orlovsky’s echoed Greenberg’s sentiment, saying that was the best game Jalen Hurts has played in his career with the Eagles.
Hurts deserved the opportunity to be the Eagles starting quarterback. With his first full season almost in the books, he has the team in playoff contention and he’s now a Pro Bowl alternate.
Thankfully, he’s been given the chance to succeed by having the offense built around running the ball, a system he’s comfortable and has experience with.
Best of all, they’re winning.
This is in sharp contrast to the start of the season when coach Sirianni wouldn’t commit to Jalen Hurts, seemingly reluctant to name him the starter until shortly before their first game.
The Heisman runner-up rewarded his decision and has the Eagles poised to make the playoffs.
So haters, silence your critiques and appreciate the fact that you’re watching the evolution and integration of an old system along with the maturation of a young quarterback.
You’re welcome.
