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USA Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Eagles Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown land high in a ranking of the top QB-WR duos
Eagles Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown land high in a ranking of the top QB-WR duos PFF ranked the top 32 QB-WR/TE duos in the NFL and Philadelphia's Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown landed behind Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase for the top spot The Eagles have the NFL's most explosive offense, and a good portion of that success stems from quarterback Jalen Hurts connecting with wide receiver A.J. Brown. Saquon Barkley powers the machine, but Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert provide their own knock-out punches when called upon. Pro Football Focus ranked the top 32 QB-WR/TE duos in the NFL, and Philadelphia's Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown landed behind Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase for the top spot. 2. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: JALEN HURTS & A.J. BROWN Brown came in at No. 1 in PFF's wide receiver rankings, thanks to his dominant 96.5 PFF receiving grade versus single coverage over the past three seasons. Hurts hasn't always been the most efficient quarterback, but he bounced back from some bad PFF passing grades under pressure to start 2024 and became a Super Bowl champion. Only the Bengals duo topped Philadelphia's, while Houston (3), Washington (4), and Tampa Bay (5) rounded out the top five. No quarterback, tight end combo makes the list until Brock Purdy and George Kittle (49ers) at 14th. Hurts landed behind Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen, but finished ahead of Jayden Daniels, Dak Prescott, and Justin Herbert in PFF quarterback rankings. 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 QB to appear in multiple Super Bowls and win a championship in their first five seasons. The other QBs who did so are Troy Aikman, Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, Ben Roethlisberger, Kurt Warner, and Russell Wilson. Brown topped the list for wide receivers, finishing ahead of big names. Despite missing three games due to injury, A.J. Brown led the team with 1,079 receiving yards. He also ranked 1st in receiving average (16.1) (min. 60 catches) and 3rd in receiving yards per game (83.0) (min. 13 games), behind Ja'Marr Chase (100.5) and Justin Jefferson (90.2). Smith posted a career-high 8 TDs in the regular season and hauled in a 46-yard TD in Super Bowl LIX. During the run to the Super Bowl, he became the franchise's all-time leader in postseason receiving yards (595).
USA Today
21-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Jalen Hurts lands in the top five of a PFF ranking of all 32 NFL quarterbacks for 2025
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. Jalen Hurts' 2024 campaign — capped by an impressive Super Bowl run — was a return to form after a turbulent 2023 season. A year earlier, Hurts too often pressed in high-leverage moments and struggled under pressure, but he flipped the script this past season, showing poise and control even when things broke down around him. After a slow start, he found his rhythm and delivered when it mattered most. Over the past three seasons, his 91.5 overall grade ranks fifth among all quarterbacks. 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 QB to appear in multiple Super Bowls and win a championship in their first five seasons. The other QBs who did so are Troy Aikman, Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, Ben Roethlisberger, Kurt Warner, and Russell Wilson.
USA Today
16-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Eagles Super Bowl MVP QB Jalen Hurts named to Time's list of '100 Most Influential' people
Eagles Super Bowl MVP QB Jalen Hurts named to Time's list of '100 Most Influential' people Hurts was named to Time's list of '100 Most Influential' list as an ICON after leading the Eagles to a win over the Chiefs in Super Bowl 59 Jalen Hurts is a Super Bowl champion, and thanks to Derek Jeter, the Eagles quarterback is one of TIME's 100 Most Influential People in the just-released list. The Process is overseen by Dan Macsai and Cate Matthews, who lead TIME's journalists through a year of debate and discovery, speaking with sources and partners around the globe to whittle down a list of 100 individuals. I admire how great athletes deal with both success and failure. What Jalen Hurts went through in being benched during the 2018 National Championship game would break a lot of people down. But not Jalen; he focused on what he could control and found a new path to success. In the NFL, Jalen didn't let a Super Bowl defeat in 2023 shake his confidence. He used that loss as motivation and kept a picture of himself walking off the field after losing as his phone lock screen. This past February, Jalen found himself on the Super Bowl stage again. This time he led Philadelphia to a convincing victory in its rematch with Kansas City. We connected shortly after, and the only thing he asked about was insight on going back and winning again. Sometimes people win, then exhale. Jalen is not exhaling. He's embracing the next challenge. Win or lose, Jalen's resilience and determination offer all of us something to admire. Hurts, crowned Super Bowl LIX MVP, became just the second quarterback in Eagles history to deliver a Super Bowl 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. He'll enter 2025 with renewed confidence and weapons at every key position.
USA Today
20-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Eagles 2025 offseason preview: Where does Philadelphia stand at the quarterback position
Eagles 2025 offseason preview: Where does Philadelphia stand at the quarterback position We're previewing the Philadelphia Eagles 2025 off-season and looking at the QB position where Jalen Hurts looks to repeat as Super Bowl MVP The Eagles are the reigning Super Bowl champions, and as we approach the 2025 NFL draft, this roster will look dramatically different after suffering several free-agent losses. Philadelphia suffered massive losses as the first wave of free agency saw Josh Sweat (Cardinals), Milton Williams (Patriots), Kenneth Gainwell (Steelers), Mekhi Becton (Chargers), Isaiah Rodgers (Vikings), Fred Johnson (Jaguars), Parris Campbell (Cowboys), Darius Slay (CB) and Oren Burks (Bengals) all depart. Still, they rebounded to make several key signings, including A.J. Dillon (RB), Joshua Uche (LB), Adoree' Jackson (CB), Charley Hughlett (LS), Patrick Johnson (LB), Avery Williams (KR/PR), Kylen Granson (TE), and Azeez Ojulari (OLB). With the NFL draft fast approaching, we're examining the quarterback position as we kick off the Eagles Wire off-season previews. What's changed After watching Tanner McKee shred the Giants, Philadelphia felt comfortable entering this season with the former Stanford star as the backup quarterback. The Eagles traded Kenny Pickett to Cleveland for former UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. QB Jalen Hurts Hurts, crowned Super Bowl LIX MVP, became just the second quarterback in Eagles history to deliver a Super Bowl 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. He'll enter 2025 with renewed confidence and weapons at every key position. QB Tanner McKee Tanner McKee is now the Eagles' backup quarterback after Philadelphia traded Kenny Pickett to the Browns. After seeing no significant regular-season action as a rookie, McKee was thrust into action during the Eagles' final two regular-season games and shined. McKee, a 2023 sixth-round pick out of Stanford, waited for this moment, and in Week 17, his first game action would be one for the record books and a potential film on the big screen. With Kenny Pickett nursing broken ribs, McKee became the first player in the NFL Draft era (since 1936) to have multiple touchdown passes in his NFL debut while attempting five or fewer passes. The former Stanford quarterback and sixth-round pick finished 3-4 passing for 54 yards (13.5 avg) and two touchdowns, with a 156.2 rating. Then, in the season finale, McKee was 27-41 passing for 269 yards, two touchdowns, and a 100.6 passer rating. QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson The former UCLA star and 2023 fifth-round pick appeared in 15 games (five starts) for the Browns over the past two seasons, completing 121 of his 230 pass attempts for 880 yards, one touchdown, and 10 interceptions. Additionally, Thompson-Robinson rushed for 187 yards on 35 attempts. The 25-year-old now gets a fresh start in Philadelphia, where the athletic dual-threat will join Jalen Hurts and Tanner McKee, serving as the team's No. 3 quarterback.
USA Today
16-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Predicting Eagles' starting lineups for Week 1 after the first wave of free agency
Predicting Eagles' starting lineups for Week 1 after the first wave of free agency With the second wave of free agency set to begin, we're predicting the Philadelphia Eagles starting lineup for Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season The Eagles offense will look the same with Mekhi Becton as the only starter who departed and Kenneth Gainwell, a key contributor during the first wave of NFL free agency. Dallas Goedert could depart via trade, but Philadelphia will still be explosive and among the league's most efficient and dominant offensive units. The defense is undergoing an overhaul after defensive tackle Milton Williams (New England), Josh Sweat (Arizona), cornerback Darius Slay (Pittsburgh), cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (Minnesota), and linebacker Oren Burks (Cincinnati) all departed via free agency. The Eagles are also trading away safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who was third in the NFL with six interceptions last season, and backup quarterback Kenny Pickett. With the second wave of free agency set to begin, we're predicting the Philadelphia Eagles starting lineup. QB Jalen Hurts Hurts, crowned Super Bowl LIX MVP, became just the second quarterback in Eagles history to deliver a Super Bowl 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. RB Saquon Barkley In his debut season with Philadelphia, Saquon Barkley earned NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors from the Associated Press and finished as a finalist for Most Valuable Player. In addition, he ea WR A.J. Brown Despite missing three games due to injury, A.J. Brown led the team with 1,079 receiving yards. He also ranked 1st in receiving average (16.1) (min. 60 catches) and 3rd in receiving yards per game (83.0) (min. 13 games), behind Ja'Marr Chase (100.5) and Justin Jefferson (90.2). WR DeVonta Smith DeVonta Smith posted a career-high 8 TDs in the regular season and hauled in a 46-yard TD in Super Bowl LIX. During the run to the Super Bowl, he became the franchise's all-time leader in postseason receiving yards (595) WR Jahan Dotson Dotson caught 19 of 33 targets for 216 yards in 17 regular-season games with the Eagles in 2024 after being acquired in a trade from Washington. He also rushed once for 13 yards. Despite his struggles, Dotson played 649 offensive snaps during the regular season for Philadelphia, working as a No. 3 receiver behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Dotson improved with time and had his most impactful game of the season during the Eagles' win over Kansas City in Super Bowl LIX, with two catches for 42 yards on three targets. The 2022 first-round pick could have an increased role for the 2025 season if Philadelphia moves on from Goedert. TE Grant Calcaterra We're predicting the Eagles land a fourth-round pick for the 30-year-old Goedert, who's counting $11 million against the cap with no guaranteed money remaining. Philadelphia could target a talented tight end in the second or third round of April's draft. It'll be a tough decision after Goedert (team-record 52 career playoff catches) led the Eagles in receptions (17) and receiving yards (215) in the postseason. LT Jordan Mailata According to PFF, Jordan Mailata (96.9) led the entire NFL in offensive and run-blocking grades (94.9). In addition, Mailata ranked 2nd in the NFL with a 91.7 pass-blocking grade, behind Tristan Wirfs (93.7). LG Landon Dickerson C Cam Jurgens RG Tyler Steen The Eagles acquired Kenyon Green from the Texans for C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and while he's a former first-round pick, the former Texas A&M star was the 76th highest-graded guard in the NFL out of 77 candidates, according to PFF. Former Alabama offensive tackle and third-round pick Tyler Steen was slightly better, landing at 75th with a 40.7 grade from PFF. There will be competition for this spot, and it's an obvious downgrade currently after Mekhi Becton's exit. LT Lane Johnson Lane Johnson ranked 1st among NFL RTs in PFF pass-blocking grade (88.1), pressure percentage (2.2%), and knockdown percentage (0.2%). He allowed zero sacks and 1 QB hit in 451 pass-blocking snaps. Edge Rusher Nolan Smith DT Jalen Carter During the regular season, Jalen Carter was 4th among interior DL with an 81.5 PFF pass-rush grade, behind Chris Jones (91.0), Cameron Heyward (87.2), and Jeffery Simmons (81.6) in that category. NT Jordan Davis Davis logged 27 tackles (15 solo), one sack, and two passes defended while playing in all 17 regular-season games in 2024. He added six tackles (four solo), including two sacks and one pass defense across four playoff appearances. Davis started every regular-season game for the second year in a row, but he logged 122 fewer defensive snaps and ceded snaps to second-year defensive lineman Moro Ojomo. DT Moro Ojomo Ojomo finished the 2024 season with 20 tackles (six solo) in 17 regular-season games. Ojomo saw a significant increase in workload in his second season with the Eagles, playing 370 defensive snaps and 70 snaps on special teams while appearing in all 17 of the team's regular-season games. Ojomo will be a starter, with Milton Williams departing. Edge Rusher Jalyx Hunt We're predicting Hunt will get the first shot at replacing Josh Sweat despite Josh Uche getting signed. Hunt finished the 2024 season with 21 total tackles (12 solo), including 1.5 sacks, while adding one pass defended and two forced fumbles over 16 regular-season games. LB Zack Baun A finalist for AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Zack Baun was the highest-graded LB (90.1) by PFF in the regular season, producing 150 tackles and 5 FFs (2nd in the NFL, behind T.J. Watt – 6). In the playoffs, Baun became the second NFL LB since 1991 to generate takeaways in each of their first four career postseason starts (Devin White in 2020), which included an INT of Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl LIX. LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. With Nakobe Dean likely to miss the bulk of the 2025 season, we're rolling with Jeremiah Trotter in this spot. CB Kelee Ringo Ringo gets the first shot at replacing Darius Slay, but he'll battle Adoree' Jackson and others for that cornerback spot. Ringo has allowed just a 46.3 passer rating as the primary defender in coverage over the last two seasons (170 snaps). CB Quinyon Mitchell Slot CB Cooper DeJean Cooper DeJean, who did not allow a TD in coverage in 2024, became the youngest player (22) to record an INT-TD in a Super Bowl when he had a 38-yard INT-TD against Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl LIX. S Sydney Brown With Gardner-Johnson traded, the former third-round pick gets the first crack at the starting spot. Brown is now a full year removed from tearing his ACL near the end of the 2023 season. He'll battle Tristin McCollum, Andre Sam, and likely a draft pick. S Reed Blankenship Blankenship logged 78 tackles (52 solo), six passes defended (including four interceptions), and one fumble recovery across 15 regular-season games in 2024. He added 27 tackles (18 solo), one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery across the Eagles' four playoff games. Blankenship earned a one-year, $3.58 million contract extension with the Eagles last April after leading the team in tackles and interceptions. Blankenship finished as the Eagles' second-leading tackler during the postseason behind Dean (33). Blankenship is in line for another, more sizable contract extension heading into the 2025 campaign.
