Jalen Hurts: A Season of Ups and Downs

As the NFL season approaches, all eyes are on Jalen Hurts, the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback who has been the subject of much speculation. After a stellar 2022 campaign, Hurts failed to make the top 10 in ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler’s annual positional rankings. But what exactly went wrong?

Injuries Took Their Toll

Hurts was “playing hurt,” according to an NFC executive, which contributed to the dip in his performance. When you’re not 100%, it’s hard to perform at your best. And the numbers don’t lie. The 25-year-old averaged fewer passing (226.9) and rushing (35.6) yards compared to his 2022 breakout campaign, and his QBR fell from 68.3 to 60.1.

The Eagles will be looking to bounce back this season.

The Offense Became Stale

An NFL team executive was frank in their assessment, saying that Philly’s offense “became stale.” This is a worrying sign, especially when you consider the importance of Hurts to the franchise. The question on everyone’s lips is: was 2022 a one-off, or can Hurts replicate that form?

Coaching Changes

The coaching situation didn’t help Hurts’ cause. The promotion of Brian Johnson to offensive coordinator was seen as a logical move, but it didn’t quite work out. Now, Kellen Moore is at the helm, and Hurts has said that the new offense is “probably 95 percent” new. This could be just what the doctor ordered.

Hurts will be looking to bounce back this season.

Pressure to Deliver

Sirianni will be under a lot of pressure to deliver this season, and Hurts will face just as much scrutiny. The Eagles have done everything to tailor the offense to his strengths, so it’s time to put up or shut up.

“keeping the main thing the main thing” - Jalen Hurts

Conclusion

Jalen Hurts’ season was a mixed bag, but there’s no doubting his talent. With a new offense and a fresh start, the Eagles quarterback will be looking to silence his critics and prove that he’s a top-tier QB.