Jalen Hurts Rumors: Eagles Aren’t Questioning QB1, Want Him to Be a More Vocal Leader

Tyler Conway@@jtylerconwayFeatured Columnist IVFebruary 11, 2024

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The Philadelphia Eagles reportedly want quarterback Jalen Hurts to become more vocal moving forward.

Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported the Eagles are not questioning Hurts’ long-term status as their franchise quarterback but want him to take a more active leadership role.

Ian Rapoport @RapSheetThe Insiders on @NFLGameDay: The #Broncos face a crucial decision on Russell Wilson; The #Eagles are welcoming QB Jalen Hurts being more vocal and jovial; #Eagles edge Haason Reddick got permission to seek a trade; The #Steelers may inquire about free agent QB Ryan Tannehill. pic.twitter.com/YhxvkkdkLl

Hurts saw his performance take a nosedive in the second half of 2023. After looking like an MVP candidate as the Eagles raced out to a hot start, but his completion percentage, yards per attempt and touchdown rate dipped over the final eight games of the season.

The Eagles closed the season with six losses in their last seven games, including an embarrassing 32-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card Round.

The collapse led to major changes on both sides of the ball, with the Eagles firing offensive coordinator Brian Johnson and defensive coordinator Sean Desai. Philadelphia hired Kellen Moore to take over the offense.

Moore was the Dallas Cowboys’ offensive coordinator from 2019 to 2022 and spent last season as the Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive coordinator.

Hurts will be playing for his fourth offensive coordinator in five NFL seasons. The Eagles fired head coach/play caller Doug Pederson after the 2020 season, Shane Steichen left for the Indianapolis Colts’ head-coaching job after the 2022 campaign, and Johnson lasted only one season before being let go.

The question marks don’t end there. Coach Nick Sirianni will head into the 2024 season on the hot seat after the second-half collapse. A team does not jettison both of its coordinators without having questions about its head coach. If the downward trend continues, Sirianni could find himself next on the chopping block.

Given the flux within the coaching staff, having Hurts as a vocal leader should be paramount. The Eagles invested $255 million into Hurts last offseason, and there’s no realistic avenue to move on until at least the 2027 season. They are paying him like a franchise face and want him to take on that mantle in every respect.

With the future of offensive leader Jason Kelce in the air as he contemplates retirement, Hurts’ next step will be following in Kelce’s footsteps as the lead voice behind the scenes.