Latest news with #Hurts
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Jalen Hurts Shines in OTAs as Eagles Backup Battle Begins to Take Shape
Jalen Hurts Shines in OTAs as Eagles Backup Battle Begins to Take Shape originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Jalen Hurts looked sharp on Wednesday, completing 20 of 21 passes during the Eagles' second day of OTAs and showing the kind of precision Eagles fans have come to expect from their Super Bowl MVP quarterback. Advertisement 94 WIP Eagles reporter Eliot Shorr-Parks graded Hurts' performance as a B+, with the lone incompletion coming on a well-thrown pass that was broken up by tight coverage. Even more impressive, Hurts accomplished the near-perfect outing without top targets A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, instead developing chemistry with backup receivers. 'Solid day for Jalen Hurts,' Shorr-Parks noted on social media. 'No special throws but was very accurate/decisive with the ball and never put it in harm's way. Probably didn't have an attempt over 20 yards. Only incompletion was a forced incompletion on a well thrown ball. Also noteworthy Hurts didn't have AJ or DeVonta, so he was playing with mostly backups. Nice, solid, veteran QB play by Hurts.' Behind Hurts, the Eagles' quarterback depth chart is taking shape following an offseason overhaul. The team traded Kenny Pickett to Cleveland for Dorian Thompson-Robinson, selected Syracuse's Kyle McCord in the sixth round, and retained second-year quarterback Tanner McKee after his strong finish to the 2024 season. Wednesday's practice hinted at the early hierarchy. McKee took the bulk of second-team reps and completed 14 of 18 passes, solidifying his position as the frontrunner for the backup role. Thompson-Robinson connected on both of his pass attempts, while McCord completed his lone throw. The rep distribution indicates McKee has separated himself, while the competition for the No. 3 spot remains open. Advertisement Hurts, meanwhile, continues to demonstrate veteran efficiency even in limited-contact settings. While the Eagles kept things conservative with short and intermediate throws, the execution was crisp. With training camp on the horizon and a talented supporting cast awaiting full integration, Hurts looks ready to lead another deep postseason run. And with promising options behind him, the Eagles' quarterback room appears poised to be one of the league's deepest in 2025. Related: Is Cooper Dejean Switching Positions? Related: Howie Salvages 'Win' in Eagles Trade After Poor Signing This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fans React to Hilarious Eagles Post After Tush Push is Not Banned
The Philadelphia Eagles aren't just known as Super Bowl champions — they've also become the face of the NFL's most controversial short-yardage play: the "tush push." Whenever the Eagles' offense found themselves within one yard of the first down marker or the endzone, quarterback Jalen Hurts would line up under center with two teammates offset to the left and right of him in the backfield. Advertisement At the snap, the offensive line surged forward, and Hurts followed with a quarterback sneak. The two players behind Hurts would then shove him from behind, giving the play an extra push to secure the line to gain. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) lines up for the tush push J. Rebilas NFL owners meet annually to discuss potential rule changes, and this year in Minneapolis, the "tush push" was a hot topic. The Green Bay Packers submitted a proposal to ban the play, which went to a vote on Wednesday and required 24 votes to pass. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the final vote was 22–10 — and the tush push lives on. Those in favor of the vote, besides the Eagles, were the Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, New York Jets and Detroit Lions, according to Schefter. Advertisement Immediately following the results, the Eagles' social media team celebrated with a post on social media. "Push on," the team wrote. The post featured the Eagles doing the "tush push" against none other than the Packers. Fans were quick to notice the playful jab and couldn't help but laugh on social media. "The photo choice 🤣," one wrote. "Social media team was waiting for this one 😂," another added. "Absolutly fantastic work by the eagles PR team," wrote another. "Against the Packers too… W admin lol," said a fan. "Against the Packers, stay petty Philly 😭," one added. Advertisement "Against the packers 😂 Admin for the WIN," a fan wrote. For now, the play lives on in the 2025 season. Related: Saquon Barkley Getting Praised For What He Did at Super Bowl Parade
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Eagles Have Firepower to Repeat But One Major Concern Could Derail It All
Eagles Have Firepower to Repeat But One Major Concern Could Derail It All originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Philadelphia Eagles fans won't forget how great the 2024 season was after the team won its second Super Bowl in franchise history. Now it's about whether they can repeat as champions. Advertisement Leading the charge at quarterback was Jalen Hurts, who had one of the best seasons of his career. The stats won't blow anyone away, but Hurts was efficient and protected the football, as evidenced by his career-high 68.7% completion percentage and a quarterback rating of 103.7. He capped it off with a stellar Super Bowl performance that earned him the game's Most Valuable Player award. The Eagles are in for another season where they should be Super Bowl contenders, but what would be holding them back from repeating? While most analysts point to the historical difficulty of repeating as champions, the real challenge facing Philadelphia in 2025 isn't the so-called 'Super Bowl curse.' It's something much more tangible and concerning: a defense that will rely heavily on unproven players at crucial positions. The Eagles have undergone a massive defensive overhaul this offseason, and the numbers tell a sobering story. The team lost Josh Sweat to Arizona, Milton Williams to New England, released Darius Slay and James Bradberry, and traded C.J. Gardner-Johnson to Houston. In their place, Philadelphia has assembled a group heavy on potential but light on proven NFL production. Advertisement Consider the edge rusher position, where the Eagles will try to replace Sweat's consistent pass rush. Azeez Ojulari, signed to a one-year deal worth $4 million, has managed just 46 games over four NFL seasons due to persistent injury issues. While talented when healthy, betting on Ojulari's durability is a significant gamble for a championship-level defense. The pass rush situation became even more uncertain when the Eagles traded away Bryce Huff to the San Francisco 49ers just yesterday, further depleting their proven edge rush options. This leaves the Eagles counting heavily on second-year player Jalyx Hunt, who showed flashes as a rookie but remains largely unproven in an expanded role. Josh Uche, a new addition, had one productive season in 2022 with 11.5 sacks but has otherwise struggled to produce consistently. The linebacker corps presents an even starker picture of inexperience. First-round pick Jihaad Campbell is recovering from shoulder surgery and may be thrust into a starting role next to Zach Baun immediately due to Nakobe Dean's ongoing recovery from a torn patellar tendon. The Eagles are also hoping for continued development from second-year linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr., who saw limited action as a rookie but could be called upon for a larger role. Asking a rookie linebacker to anchor a championship defense is a tall order, regardless of talent level. In the secondary, the Eagles are doubling down on youth. While second-year players Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean performed admirably as rookies last season, they're now being asked to carry even more responsibility with veteran departures. The team is also looking to third-year cornerback Kelee Ringo to finally step into a starting role after spending his first two seasons primarily on special teams. At safety, second-year player Sydney Brown is expected to compete for a starting position alongside Reed Blankenship. Adoree' Jackson was brought in to provide veteran leadership, but he started only five games last season and has limited recent production. Advertisement The depth chart reveals just how much unproven talent the Eagles are banking on. By one analysis, four defensive starting positions remain up for grabs, creating uncertainty at nearly 20 percent of the defense. Even veteran coordinator Vic Fangio acknowledged that Huff's future role remains unclear, suggesting internal uncertainty about key defensive pieces. This isn't to suggest the Eagles lack talent. Campbell was highly rated by scouts, Mitchell and DeJean showed tremendous promise as rookies, and Ojulari has flashed elite pass-rushing ability when healthy. The concern is timing. Championship teams typically rely on battle-tested veterans who understand how to perform under the intense pressure of defending a title. The Eagles' offensive continuity provides a stark contrast. Nearly every key offensive player returns, creating stability and chemistry that should make that unit even more dangerous. But defense often determines playoff success, and Philadelphia's defensive transformation represents the biggest variable in their repeat chances. History shows that even talented young players can struggle with the pressure and expectations that come with defending a championship. The Eagles will need multiple unproven players to not just contribute, but excel immediately. That's a significant ask for any organization, even one as well-run as Philadelphia. Advertisement The Eagles have a chance to make history and repeat for the first time in franchise history. Hurts has all the capabilities to get the job done with Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert on offense to work with. The question isn't whether they have enough talent to compete — it's whether their defensive question marks can provide answers quickly enough to support another championship run. There will be doubters that the Eagles can repeat, but Philadelphia has championship-level talent throughout the roster. The challenge lies in whether unproven defensive players can mature rapidly enough to handle the pressure that comes with being defending Super Bowl champions. In a league where defense often determines October success, that uncertainty represents the most significant threat to the Eagles' back-to-back aspirations. Related: Bryce Huff Trade Matters But Eagles Biggest Weakness Remains Related: Howie Salvages 'Win' in Eagles Trade After Poor Signing This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Brandon Graham responds strongly to Jalen Hurts landing behind Josh Allen in QB Rankings
Brandon Graham responds strongly to Jalen Hurts landing behind Josh Allen in QB Rankings Brandon Graham offered a strong response to PFF ranking Jalen Hurts as the 5th-best QB behind Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson. There have been a myriad of debates concerning where Jalen Hurts lands in the NFL quarterback hierarchy. After appearing in two of the last three Super Bowls, including winning this past February, there's no doubt that the Eagles' star is among the most efficient and dependable at his position. PFF has started yearly position rankings, and the quarterback spot always brings the most intense debate. Breaking down the participants into tiers, Hurts landed in the top five, just outside tier one, where the elite signal-callers landed. His former teammate, Brandon Graham, isn't a fan at all of the rankings and offered a strong response to 94 WIP when asked about Josh Allen and others. Hurts landed behind Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen, but finished ahead of Jayden Daniels, Dak Prescott, and Justin Herbert. Hurts, crowned Super Bowl LIX MVP, became just the second QB in Eagles history to deliver a Super Bowl Championship to the City of Philadelphia, joining Nick Foles (Super Bowl LII MVP). According to Elias Sports, Hurts is only the seventh NFL quarterback to appear in multiple Super Bowls and win a championship in their first five seasons. The other quarterbacks who did so are Troy Aikman, Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, Ben Roethlisberger, Kurt Warner, and Russell Wilson.
The Herald Scotland
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Eagles' 'Tush Push' survives: Winners, losers of NFL owners' vote
So after years of study by the league's competition committee, input from coaches and a vote tabled as recently as two months ago, the Tush Push lives on ... for at least another season - which means it's time to declare winners and losers of this verdict: WINNERS Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Famers Salt-N-Pepa said it best - "push it real good" - and Philly's offense surely has complied. According to the NFL's Next Gen Stats, the Eagles converted 28 of 34 Tush Push attempts (82%) last season before using it on the 1-yard line to score the first touchdown of Super Bowl 59, a game Philadelphia never trailed. The Eagles also repeatedly resorted to their signature surge, which is typically used in goal-line and short-yardage situations, to bludgeon the Washington Commanders 55-23 in the NFC championship game - left tackle Jordan Mailata declaring victory in his team's patented brand of "mental warfare." Philadelphia began Tush Pushing with regularity in 2022 and has reached the Super Bowl in two of the past three seasons. The Eagles are obviously adept at it, have a daunting offensive line that averaged 6-6 and 338 pounds last season - the largest unit ever fielded on Super Sunday - and a quarterback, Jalen Hurts, who knows how to use his explosively strong legs to burrow behind all that humanity ... while often getting propelled himself by teammates. It should remain a competitive advantage the team enjoys. Until the league says otherwise. POWER RANKINGS: Field still chasing Philly Jalen Hurts' fantasy owners Sorry, Tom Brady, Hurts has become the greatest short-yardage quarterback in NFL history. Since 2022, he has rushed for 42 touchdowns in the regular season - two-thirds of those (or 28) from the 1-yard line, including 11 from that distance in each of the past two campaigns. (In 10 career playoff games, Hurts has run for 10 TDs - four in Super Bowls - matching his total through the air.) Over that same period, Philadelphia has consistently been at or near the top of the league in converting third and fourth downs, never executing worse than 41% on third down or 68% on fourth. Hurts may never be the league MVP given his relative inconsistency as a passer, but he's now got a Super Bowl MVP award in his trophy case ... and just might be the key to countless fantasy championships. Kevin Patullo Meet Philadelphia's new offensive coordinator, who replaced Kellen Moore, now the head coach of the New Orleans Saints. Pretty nice for Patullo, 43, a first-time OC two decades into his coaching career, that a bread-and-butter component of this team's attack remains at his disposal for the immediate future. And it should also be noted that the play enables the Eagles to mix in shot plays during third-and-short scenarios - sometimes out of the Tush Push formation - with the relative security that if a deep strike gambit fails, a fresh set of downs will very likely be earned on the subsequent snap. Jason Kelce Whether or not the Eagles' legendary - if former - center was instrumental in the stay of execution for the Tush Push, he was present as the owners convened Wednesday morning after vowing to clarify his stance on the merits and safety of the play, which he obviously supports. Regardless, Kelce gets to look like the closer ... and also doesn't have to wind up at the bottom of a pile with 1,000 pounds or more on top of him. Tampa Bay Buccaneers While the Tush Push vote took up all the oxygen at this week's ownership confab, the only NFC team to beat the Eagles in the past three postseasons quietly benefited from the Detroit Lions' tabling of their proposal to seed the playoffs by overall record, irrespective of who wins each division. Despite going 27-24 in the regular season since 2022, the Bucs have won the NFC South thrice - and played at home in the playoffs each of those seasons. Under Detroit's plan, Tampa Bay would not have never been seeded higher than sixth during that span. The world? As the NFL continues expanding its international footprint - it will stage a record seven regular-season games across five countries this season (including Spain and Ireland for the first time) - it retains what some contend is a rugby-style play in its collective arsenal. And, hey, folks in Europe and many other countries fancy rugby far more than American football, so why not give them something to glom onto? And don't forget, the league is holding a regular-season game for the first time next year in Oceania - specifically Australia - where rugby is massive. Maybe that keeps the Tush Push off death row until at least 2027. LOSERS Green Bay Packers NFL needed 24 votes today to ban the Tush Push, but got only 22. Here are the 10 teams that voted against the Tush Push ban, per sources: ????Eagles ????Ravens ????Browns ????Lions ????Jaguars ????Dolphins ????Patriots ????Saints ????Jets ????Titans — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 21, 2025 If this had been a Congressional bill, then the Pack would have been cast as the (Democratic?) sponsors - whether because they truly abhor the Tush Push, have been fairly inept at executing their own version of it, and/or simply don't have an owner who looks like the bad guy for targeting a signature aspect of Philadelphia's recent success. Regardless, the Packers, who modified the language of the proposed rule change as recently as Monday - attempting to pave a runway for the league to restore a measure which prevented players from pushing and pulling their teammates to advance the ball that had existed in the rulebook up until 2005 - couldn't get the votes for their "constituents," falling two shy of adoption, according to multiple reports. When you forget the snap count on the QB sneak. Poor Jordan Love. ???????? #NFL — Steelers Depot 7? (@Steelersdepot) September 18, 2023 Saquon Barkley's fantasy owners "Losers." Right. If the league's best back and reigning rushing champion winds up on your fantasy roster this fall, then you'll doubtless be thrilled. But how much more thrilled would you be if his quarterback wasn't leading the Eagles in rushing touchdowns, which very likely wouldn't have been the case had the Tush Push been banned? NFL head coaches and coordinators The NFL is infamous for being a copycat league - assuming you can copy the cat. That really hasn't happened much when it comes to other teams' ability to replicate the Tush Push or certainly stop it. "You know, you hate to be against it because people are innovative. You want to respect that. And so there's certainly been some teams that have been more innovative than the rest of us," longtime Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said at the league meeting in March. Added rookie New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn, formerly the Lions' defensive coordinator: "They've done a good job creating a play that's unstoppable." He added, "In my defensive coaching mentality, my job is to stop that play. Our job is to stop that play." Be better in that department, fellas ... if you want to be better than Philly. Cam Jurgen and Landon Dickerson With Kelce retired for a year, this duo carries on as Philadelphia's best interior battering rams, er, offensive linemen. And, while it may be coincidental, don't forget that Jurgens, now the starting center, and Dickerson, who plays left guard, each managed to play just one half apiece in the NFC title game earlier this year. Both Pro Bowlers needed surgery this offseason, Jurgens suffering from a bad back while Dickerson needed his knee repaired. But they'll again be hurtling into defensive walls soon enough. Player safety? Though Jurgens' and Dickerson's situations may or may not be cautionary, there's no data to support that the Tush Push is a play fraught with injurious risk even if it's been widely cited as a preemptive reason to get rid of it. The Eagles, unsurprisingly, unfailingly vouch for its safety, reporting no Tush Push injuries in practice or on game days. "I think for everybody, including myself especially, health and safety is the most important thing when evaluating any play," owner Jeffrey Lurie said at the NFL meetings earlier this spring, via the Athletic. "We've been very open to whatever data exists on the Tush Push, and there's just been no data that shows that it isn't a very, very safe play. If it weren't, we wouldn't be pushing the Tush Push." However, per reports, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell wanted the Tush Push axed after years of publicly prioritizing the health and well-being of the league's players in an inherently violent sport. Time will tell if the injury concerns prove prophetic or unfounded. Super Bowl aspirants Wednesday's news wasn't good for the Packers, Commanders or Chiefs, who all got steamrolled by Philadelphia in last season's playoffs. Aside from the Eagles, the Buffalo Bills use a version of the Tush Push more than any other club in the league - but even they have essentially come out against it, coach Sean McDermott among those with misgivings about its safety (which is also convenient when your team can't successfully leverage the play to secure a victory at Arrowhead Stadium with a Super Bowl berth on the line). The league's 31 non-champions aren't necessarily playing for second in 2025, but they're certainly no closer to knocking the Eagles off their Lombardi perch. All NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter.
