Winning. That’s really the only metric Jalen Hurts cares about, even if the rest of the football world is busy obsessing over his "Tush Push" stats or whether he’s a "pure" pocket passer.
It's January 2026. The Philadelphia Eagles just wrapped up a 2025 season that felt like a fever dream—a mix of high-efficiency passing and a frustratingly early Wild Card exit against the 49ers. Now, the conversation around Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has shifted. It’s no longer about whether he can win a Super Bowl—he already did that in 2024, taking down Patrick Mahomes in a legacy-defining rematch. The question now is about sustainability and where he actually fits in the pantheon of elite signal-callers.
People love to put Hurts in a box. He’s either the "system QB" lucky to play behind a dominant offensive line, or he’s the dual-threat titan who broke the NFL record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback. Honestly? Both versions are sort of wrong.
The $255 Million Question: Is History Repeating?
There is a weird vibe in Philly right now. It feels a bit like 2020 all over again, back when Howie Roseman shocked the world by drafting Hurts in the second round while Carson Wentz was still the guy. Fast forward to today, and we’re hearing whispers that the Eagles might be looking at the 2026 draft for a "Plan B."
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Michael Silver of The Athletic recently dropped a report that sent the fan base into a tailspin. He suggested that internal voices are wondering if Hurts has hit his ceiling. It sounds crazy on paper. We’re talking about a guy who just posted a 25-to-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio in 2025. He’s 27 years old. He’s a Super Bowl MVP.
But the NFL moves fast.
The cap hit is the real elephant in the room. For the 2026 season, Hurts is scheduled to carry a cap hit of roughly $31.9 million. That number jumps even higher in 2027. When you’re making that much, "good" isn't enough anymore. You have to be the reason the team wins when the defense gives up 30 points. In 2025, the Eagles offense sometimes felt predictable, especially after the experiment with Kevin Patullo as coordinator didn't quite set the world on fire.
Why the "System QB" Label is Garbage
If you look at the 2024 championship run, Jalen wasn't just a passenger. Sure, Saquon Barkley was tearing defenses apart, but Hurts was the most efficient deep-ball passer in the league that year. He has this knack for "keeping the main thing the main thing," a phrase he uses so much it's basically his brand.
- 2024 Super Bowl Stats: 293 total yards, 3 TDs, and a 119.7 passer rating.
- The Rushing Record: 55 career rushing TDs (3rd most by a QB in history).
- The Efficiency: He’s one of only three QBs to post 25+ total TDs in four straight seasons (2021–2024), joining Josh Allen and Mahomes.
He doesn't play like Lamar Jackson, who looks like he's gliding on ice. He doesn't play like Josh Allen, who plays like a runaway freight train. Hurts plays like a powerlifter who happens to have a cannon for an arm. It’s deliberate. It’s physical.
The Unseen Leadership of Jalen Hurts
You’ve probably heard Nick Sirianni talk about "contributions over credit." That was the team’s 2025 mantra. While the media tried to drum up drama about Hurts’ relationship with A.J. Brown, the reality inside the NovaCare Complex is usually much duller. Jalen is a "stoic" to a fault.
Sometimes that stoicism gets mistaken for a lack of fire.
I remember watching his post-game presser after the playoff loss to San Francisco just a week ago. He looked like he hadn't slept. He talked about the "process" and the "offseason work." Some fans are tired of the "ChatGPT-style" quotes, but that’s just who he is. He’s a coach’s son. He’s been programmed since high school in Texas to never let them see you sweat.
The Evolution of the "Triple Threat"
Hurts describes himself as a triple threat: arm, legs, and mind. In 2025, we saw a massive shift in how he was used. The "Tush Push" (or Brotherly Shove) wasn't as automatic as it used to be. Teams finally started to sell out to stop it, which forced Jalen to win more from the pocket.
He finished the 2025 regular season with 3,224 passing yards. Not Earth-shattering. But look at the interceptions—only 6. In a league where even the greats are throwing 12 to 15 picks, Jalen’s ability to protect the football is what keeps the Eagles in games.
What Really Happened in 2025?
The Eagles started 2025 on a tear, but things felt... different. The run game was still elite, but the "explosive" plays were harder to come by. Critics point to Jalen's hesitation in the pocket. They say he bails too early.
There's some truth there.
When the Eagles lose, it’s usually because the opposing defensive coordinator figured out how to keep Hurts "in the well." If he can’t escape to his right, the offense stalls. It happened in the 49ers game. It happened in the late-season slump against the Chargers.
But comparing him to Carson Wentz is a stretch. Wentz lost the locker room because of a perceived lack of accountability. Hurts? The guys would follow him into a burning building. You don't get A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith to buy into a "run-first" identity if they don't respect the guy under center.
Actionable Insights for Eagles Fans
If you're trying to figure out if the Eagles are actually going to move on, keep an eye on these specific triggers over the next six months:
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- The 2026 Draft Board: If Howie Roseman takes a QB in the first two rounds (someone like Trinidad Chambliss), the clock is officially ticking. It’s the same move he made with Hurts in 2020.
- Contract Restructures: Watch how they handle the $51.5 million cash payout due this year. If they convert it to a bonus to save cap space, they are doubling down on him for at least two more seasons.
- The Offensive Coordinator Hire: The Eagles need a "connector." Someone who can bridge the gap between Sirianni’s scheme and Hurts’ unique skillset. If they hire a rigid "West Coast" coach, it might be a sign of friction.
Jalen Hurts is a winner. He’s 46-20 as a starter. In Philly, that usually buys you a lifetime of grace. But with a $255 million price tag and a restless front office, the 2026 season is shaping up to be the most important year of his career. He’s silenced the doubters before. Don’t be surprised if he does it again.