Ex-NFL Champ Rips Justin Herbert in Defense of Eagles' Jalen Hurts
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Former NFL wide receiver James Jones couldn't believe his eyes when he saw a list of Top 10 quarterbacks, which was made from the votes of anonymous executives, coaches, and scouts.
Once he got down to No. 9, where ESPN placed Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, Jones couldn't help but call the list out on FS1's 'The Facility.'
"Looking at that right there, that's awful," Jones said.
"You can think whatever you want to think about Jalen Hurts, but there should never be a list where Justin Herbert is in front of Jalen Hurts. I don't really care about what type of talent and all that you're talking about."
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert popped up on the list as the No. 7 quarterback. He moved back one spot after being placed at No. 6 last summer.
"He's always been a top-5-8 QB -- accurate to all levels, athletic, sound decision-maker," an AFC executive told ESPN, backing the ranking. "It's almost like he's underrated now, in my opinion. He's taken for granted."
As far as an "underrated" claim goes, Jones would clearly disagree and see the situation as the opposite.
Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers looks to pass the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 7, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers looks to pass the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 7, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania."I see Justin Herbert at seven, who hasn't won a playoff game," Jones added. "[Jalen Hurts] has been to more Super Bowls than you have won playoff games, and we're talking about Justin Herbert's a better quarterback than him? I cannot do that. I think this is disrespectful to Jalen Hurts right here."
Just two seasons ago, Jalen Hurts was gaining attention as a potential MVP candidate. In 15 games, he threw for 3,701 yards, 22 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. He rushed 165 times for 760 yards and 13 touchdowns. Hurts led the Eagles to a 14-1 record.
.@89JonesNTAF: Jalen Hurts' No. 9 QB ranking is 'awful:'
'There should never be a list where Herbert is in front of him.' pic.twitter.com/rOGWoFc3hG — The Facility (@TheFacilityFS1) July 14, 2025
That year, the Eagles notched their first Super Bowl appearance since winning it all during the 2017-2018 season. While Hurts didn't bring the Lombardi Trophy back to Philadelphia in 2022, it was widely claimed that he outplayed the Kansas City Chiefs' star passer, Patrick Mahomes. Two years later, Hurts would get his ultimate revenge, winning his first Super Bowl and earning the game's MVP award.
Herbert's resume doesn't match with Hurts'. And the Chargers quarterback wasn't the only player Jones argued against in this case.
"Jayden Daniels is going to be a superstar in this league—I truly believe that," Jones added.
"But I can not put him in front of Jalen Hurts, who has been to two Super Bowls. He's had one good year! Do I think that at the end of this, when it's all said and done, could he possibly be better? Yes, absolutely. Right now, as we're talking right now, after one year? No."
Hurts has had a hard time gaining recognition as a top quarterback in the NFL since he took over for Carson Wentz in 2020. Really, it's been an issue he's battled with since his stint with Alabama back in college.
"This is an awful list when you have Jalen Hurts at nine and those two dudes in front of him," Jones concluded.
The Eagles' quarterback might not be able to claim he's top five in the eyes of anonymous decision-makers based on ESPN's list, but he holds one of the NFL's highest honors, unlike the likes of Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, and Daniels. At least he's got that going for him.
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