NFL Coach Reveals Teams Still Doubt Eagles' Jalen Hurts
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Despite being the latest Super Bowl MVP, Jalen Hurts still isn't viewed as a top-tier quarterback in the NFL.
Top 10? He's got that for the most part, but barely. A recent panel of anonymous coaches and GMs ranked quarterbacks, and The Athletic placed Hurts in the Tier 2 category, tied for ninth with Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud.
The standout quote regarding Hurts considered him a "really good player on a team of really good players."
Oftentimes, the fact that the Eagles have a strong roster is used against Hurts in quarterback debates.
The questions about Hurts' value as a passer remain. One anonymous head coach claimed that Hurts improved in that category, but not enough to change the typical defensive game plan going against Hurts.
"He has improved from the pocket, but when you play him, you still want him to beat you from there — that is the whole plan," a head coach said. "If he can get out of the pocket in two-minute, he is effective as hell, and he has done it. But he has to do it with his legs in crunch time. The guys you want can do it with the arm and legs in crunch time."
Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles puts on his helmet during Training Camp at NovaCare Complex on August 4, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles puts on his helmet during Training Camp at NovaCare Complex on August 4, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.The Eagles didn't throw nearly as much in 2024 as they did in 2023. Two seasons ago, Hurts attempted a career-high 538 passes. While he threw for 23 touchdowns, he also turned the ball over with 15 interceptions, which certainly helps the anonymous coach's case.
Last year, the Eagles picked up the game's top running back in Saquon Barkley. Clearly, there was a plan to run the ball more often than not. As a result, Hurts threw for just 361 attempts. It was just the second time in his five-year career that he threw under 400 passes in a season.
The run-heavy offense didn't help Hurts' case in the debate. However, his playoff performance as a whole did. The Eagles played in every round and saw Hurts throw for a career-high 726 yards and five touchdowns in the postseason.
His previous career-high came during the 2022 Super Bowl run, which included 579 yards and three touchdowns.
Heading into Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefs, it was clear the plan was to shut down Saquon Barkley and force Hurts to take matters into his own hands. The Chiefs held Barkley to 57 yards on 25 carries. Hurts stepped up to the plate and tossed for 221 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 72 yards and one touchdown.
It was a statement playoff run put together by Hurts, but opinions haven't changed much. Heading into his sixth NFL season, Hurts still has plenty of doubters about his value as a pocket passer.
For more Philadelphia Eagles and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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