When the Philadelphia Eagles selected Oklahoma Sooners’ quarterback Jalen Hurts in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, the questions began.
The Eagles already had their “star” quarterback in Carson Wentz, so why draft Hurts? Some said it was so they could diversify the offense. Others said it was insurance as Wentz had injury issues. But some, with more perspective, saw the fact that Hurts was simply really good.
Hailing from Houston, TX, Jalen signed with the University of Alabama and contributed immediately. He became the first true freshman to start for the Tide since Vince Sutton in 1984. That season, he threw for 2,780 yards with 23 TDs and 9 INTs. He also rushed for 954 yards and 13 TDs. Hurts broke both the school’s single-season rushing record (791 yards) set by Steadman Shealy and Blake Sims’ school record for total TDs in a single season (35). Against Mississippi State on November 12th, 2016, he became the first player in Alabama history to pass for 300 yards and rush for 100 yards in a single game.
He was the SEC Freshman of the Year and the Conference Player of the Year after leading the Tide to an undefeated 12-0 season. They ultimately fell to the Clemson Tigers in the National Championship game, but that did nothing to diminish Hurts’ accomplishments.
His sophomore year mirrored his freshman year. 2,081 yards passing with 17 TDs and 1 INT. 855 yards rushing with 8 TDS. The Tide went 12-1 and made it back to the National Championship game. After an ineffective first half, Hurts was benched. This gave rise to Tua Tagovailoa, who led the team to a 26-23 overtime victory over the Georgia Bulldogs.
Hurts remained on the bench the following season and watched Tua and the Tide go 12-0. A victory over Georgia in the SEC Championship Game would put them back in the College Football Playoff. But Tua got hurt so Nick Saban turned to Hurts again. He responded with 110 total yards and 2 TDs, leading Alabama to a 35-28 come-from-behind victory. But he was benched in favor of Tua in the National Championship and the Tide fell to Clemson again.
With one year of eligibility remaining, Jalen Hurts took his talents to Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners’ quarterback spot was vacant and Hurts snatched it. In 14 games, Hurts threw for 3,851 yards with 32 TDs and 8 INTs. He also rushed for 1,298 yards and 20 TDs. That’s a single season with over 5,000 total yards and 53 TDs (he caught a TD). He was named 1st team All-Big 12, led the nation in passing yards/attempt, and was second in the nation in both passing efficiency (191.2) and total TDs.
How good a senior year did Jalen Hurts have? He had more passing yards, rushing yards, and total TDs than Justin Herbert, Jordan Love, and Jacob Eason. If Joe Burrow hadn’t annihilated everyone that season, Hurts would have won the Heisman in 2019 (he finished second).
Philly ready
His impressive four-year college career earned him a few looks, but teams had already locked in on the aforementioned Burrow, Herbert, and Love. Burrow and Herbert, as we witnessed this year, were pro-ready. Love has not had his chance yet. But statistically, Hurts earned a seat on the starting QB dais.
Yet Carson Wentz was the incumbent. He was a Pro Bowler (2017) and had thrown for 4,039 yards with 27 TDs and 7 INTs in 2019. This meant that Hurts would see minimal playing time. But Wentz regressed and Hurts was finally given his chance in week 14, where he led the team to a 24-21 win over the Saints. Then the team went 0-3 in the final three games, which included Doug Pederson’s alleged “tank game” in week 17.
Jalen Hurts ended his rookie NFL season with a 1-4 record as a starter. He threw for 1,061 yards with 6 TDs and 4 INTs. He also gained 354 yards on the ground and 3 TDs. Far from jaw-dropping numbers. But the Eagles were a bad team. They were plagued by injuries and horrendous quarterback play.
Hurts was not given a true opportunity to showcase his talents. His former Alabama teammate, Tua Tagovailoa, faced the same situation. His rookie season in Miami was inconsistent. But he showed flashes of promise and it appears the Dolphins will move ahead with him under center.
Jalen Hurts deserves the same opportunity, yet some still doubt him.
“Jalen Hurts, are you getting an upgrade here? I mean he completed 52%,” said ESPN’s Todd McShay. “In four games he started, he threw three interceptions. He threw four interceptions over the season. I know the stats are similar when you look at Wentz and Jalen Hurts over this past year. I just don’t know that you’re getting a huge upgrade with Hurts. And I just wonder if Philly is comfortable moving Wentz and not bringing in another quarterback for competition, or as a backup or something that kind of gives you a better sense of what’s going to be at that quarterback spot moving forward.
“Because I personally, if I was the general manager of the Philadelphia Eagles, I would not feel comfortable going into the season saying, ‘Hurts is the guy. He’s going to take us to the promised land. We believe in him 100%. We don’t even need to bring in another guy.’”
The excuses never seem to cease.
Steve McNair 2.0?
Tom Brady aside, the pocket passer is a dying breed. With the speed of today’s defenders, teams need a well-rounded quarterback. Jalen Hurts is that quarterback. And compared to 2020 Wentz, he is a HUGE upgrade.
Hurts proved himself in college. He proved he could be a leader on a new team. He has the character and work ethic that the City of Brotherly love embraces. But he’s judged on four games for a bad team.
Imagine if the Houston Oilers had the same evaluation of Steve McNair.
The two quarterbacks had similar senior years. They both had over 5,000 total yards (McNair had 6,281 yards, including the playoffs. Hurts had 5,149). They finished in the top 3 in the Heisman vote (McNair received 111 first-place votes and finished 3rd. Hurts finished 2nd). Their heights and weights are similar. And, most notably, they both had a slew of doubters.
Fortunately for Hurts, his talent is complemented by the right mindset.
“I’m trying to learn from my mistakes from last year and the four games I got my feet wet in and get ready for next year,” said Hurts. “It’s always been a business. In college and in the pros. I understand that. One thing that I do….try and keep the right mentality. Control what you can. I will always be that way. The one thing I can control is my work ethic and my attitude…just building as a man and as a player. I’ll always be rooted in my faith.”
Steve McNair became the team’s full-time starter after two seasons. He developed. He was given weapons, led them to a Super Bowl and was a league co-MVP.
So take a step back and give Jalen Hurts his chance to shine.
