Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jalen Hurts’ big play ability is fueling the Eagles.
Jalen Hurts is a force to be reckoned with. This is only his second year in the league, and he’s starting to show it’s possible he could be the Philadelphia Eagles’ long-term answer at quarterback moving forward.
Hurts has always shown promise. He began his college career at Alabama before eventually transferring to Oklahoma and emerging as a star. The Eagles selected him in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft to backup Carson Wentz, but he became the team’s starter after Wentz was traded during the offseason. Hurts’ debut year as a starter has been full of highs and lows, but when the Eagles use him to his strengths, he’s showing he can be an incredibly dangerous playmaker.
Hurts was excellent in the Eagles’ 40-29 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. He finished the game 13-of-24 for 147 yards passing, while adding 69 yards and three touchdowns rushing. His final TD run iced the game late in the fourth quarter on an amazing run we’ll be watching again and again.
Watch Hurts absolutely freeze the Denver defense on this touchdown scamper:
Jalen Hurts cut on TD run!
Jalen Hurts has 8 rushing touchdowns this year
Most for a QB in the NFL
Most ever for an eagles QB first 11 games of the season
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) November 21, 2021
Hurts now has eight rushing touchdowns, which leads all NFL quarterbacks. He’s the first Eagles QB to ever rush for three touchdowns in a game — something Mike Vick and Donovan McNabb didn’t even do. Hurts now has the most explosive plays of any QB this season. He also has the highest QBR in the league over the last five weeks:
Jalen Hurts is the No. 1-ranked QB in the NFL over the last 5 weeks (75.0 QBR).
Jalen Hurts has 2 years and $3.6 million remaining on his rookie contract.
Stop talking about Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers.
— Paul Hembekides (@PaulHembo) November 22, 2021
Hurts’ teammates are taking notice of his improved play.
“Oh, I always watch Jalen,” said teammate Avonte Maddox. “I was looking at the Jumbotron and when I saw him make that move, I was like ‘Oh, snap.’ I was looking for the trainer so I could grab some tape to help that kid’s ankles.”
“Jalen is a special player that forces defenses to play different.” said Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni.
After an incredible game, Hurts recognizes what is needed for them to keep the momentum going.
“I think identity is not the ability to run the ball,” he shares in his post-game interview. “It’s a mentality, it’s an approach.”
“Our identity is a mentality.” – @JalenHurts pic.twitter.com/CsvepV6sVQ
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) November 21, 2021
He’s on his way to forming his individual identity with the Eagles and is starting to look like a franchise keeper.
