If you walk into a bar in Delco or South Philly right now, you’re going to hear two very different stories about Jalen Hurts. One guy will swear he’s the only reason the Philadelphia Eagles aren't a four-win team. The next guy, probably wearing a tattered Brian Dawkins jersey, will tell you the team needs to draft a replacement in the 2026 NFL Draft because Hurts has "hit a ceiling."
It’s exhausting.
The 2025 season was a weird one. Honestly, it was a rollercoaster that ended in a 19-23 thud against the San Francisco 49ers in the Wild Card round. Hurts put up 3,224 passing yards and a career-high 25 passing touchdowns. On paper? That looks like growth. But if you actually watched the games, you saw an offense that felt stagnant, predictable, and—at times—completely broken under former offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo. Now that Patullo is out and the search for the next play-caller is on, the conversation around the Philadelphia Eagles Jalen Hurts connection has reached a fever pitch.
Is he the franchise? Or is he just a very expensive bridge?
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The 2025 Reality Check: Stats vs. The Eye Test
Numbers can lie. Or at least, they can omit the truth. Hurts threw only six interceptions in 2025. That’s elite ball security. For a guy who was criticized for turnovers in the past, you’d think the city would be throwing him a parade. Instead, there's frustration.
Why?
Because the explosiveness vanished. In 2024, the Eagles were a top-10 scoring machine. In 2025, they plummeted to 19th. We saw a version of Hurts that seemed hesitant to pull the trigger on deep shots and, perhaps more surprisingly, less willing to use his legs. He finished the regular season with 421 rushing yards. To put that in perspective, he used to hit those numbers by mid-season. Whether it was a directive from the coaching staff to "protect" him or a personal shift in style, the "dual-threat" part of the dual-threat quarterback felt like it was on a pitch count.
The Internal Friction Rumors
You’ve probably seen the headlines from The Athletic or Section 215. There’s been a lot of smoke about "internal frustration." Reports suggest that even though Nick Sirianni and Howie Roseman publicly back their guy, there’s a quiet tension in the locker room. A.J. Brown’s cryptic social media activity didn't help. When your star receiver is frustrated and the offense is sputtering, the quarterback is always the first person people look at.
Some sources claim teammates are annoyed that Hurts isn't "called out" enough in film sessions. It’s that classic Philly dilemma: when you’re winning, your stoic "main thing is the main thing" attitude is legendary. When you’re losing, people call it "robotic" or "unresponsive."
Why the "Draft a QB" Talk is Mostly Nonsense
Let's talk money. Jalen Hurts signed a $255 million extension. His cap hit for 2026 is roughly $31.9 million. You don't just "move on" from that. Howie Roseman is a wizard, but even he can't make that kind of dead cap hit disappear without crippling the roster for half a decade.
The idea that the Eagles will pull a "Carson Wentz" and draft a replacement this spring is a fun talk-radio topic, but it lacks context. When Hurts was drafted in the second round, Wentz was already showing signs of physical and mental decline. Hurts, at 27, is entering his athletic prime. He’s a Super Bowl MVP (LIX) who has led this team to five straight playoff appearances.
The real issue isn't the talent. It's the turnover.
The OC Carousel
Can we talk about the fact that Hurts is about to have his sixth different offensive coordinator in seven years?
- Shane Steichen (The glory days)
- Brian Johnson (The 10-1 start that ended in a collapse)
- Kevin Patullo (The 2025 regression)
- Whoever comes next (Zac Robinson? Brian Daboll? A mystery candidate?)
It is nearly impossible for a quarterback to develop a "flow" when the language of the offense changes every twelve months. Imagine trying to write a novel, but every three chapters, your editor forces you to switch from English to French. You’d probably sound a little robotic, too.
What Needs to Change in 2026
If the Philadelphia Eagles Jalen Hurts era is going to result in another ring, the 2026 offseason needs to be about "unlocking" the middle of the field. In 2025, the offense became obsessed with sideline shots and "Tush Pushes." It worked until it didn't.
- Bring back the run: The threat of Hurts running is what makes Saquon Barkley even more dangerous. If defenses don't have to account for #1 keeping the ball, they can swarm the backfield.
- Fix the A.J. Brown relationship: Whether it’s chemistry on the field or just clearing the air, Hurts and Brown need to be on the same page. When they are, they’re the best duo in the NFC.
- The "New" Scheme: The next OC needs to build a system that doesn't rely on Hurts playing "hero ball" in the fourth quarter.
Actionable Insights for the Offseason
If you’re a fan or a fantasy manager looking at 2026, keep your eye on two things: the OC hire and the "Tush Push" legislation. There are constant rumors about the league banning the Brotherly Shove. If that happens, Hurts loses a significant chunk of his goal-line value.
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However, don't sell your stock yet.
Hurts is a worker. Everyone from Nick Sirianni to the water boy admits he’s the first one in and the last one out. He’s already proven he can adapt. He went from a "running QB who can't throw" to a Super Bowl MVP. Betting against his ability to refine his game is usually a losing move.
The narrative right now is messy because the ending of the 2025 season was ugly. But Philadelphia is a "what have you done for me lately" town. A couple of big wins in September 2026, and all that "Plan B" talk will evaporate into the humid Philly air.
Next Steps for Following the Saga
- Watch the Coaching Hires: The Eagles need a "QB whisperer," not just a system guy. If they land a big name like Zac Robinson, expect the passing numbers to jump.
- Monitor the Roster: If Howie Roseman actually trades A.J. Brown, the offense will undergo a total identity shift.
- Draft Day: Pay attention to the second and third rounds. If the Eagles take a QB there, then—and only then—is it time to worry about Jalen’s long-term security in midnight green.
The "main thing" is still winning. And despite a disappointing exit, Jalen Hurts remains the best chance the Eagles have at doing exactly that.