Jalen Hurts, the Philadelphia Eagles’ star quarterback, continues to soar to new heights, demonstrating leadership and resilience on the field. Since 2022, Hurts has amassed an impressive 42-12 record as a starter, second only to Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes during the same period. This achievement is another testament to his winning legacy, which dates back to his high school days in Channelview, Texas, and continued through his college years at Alabama and Oklahoma. With an overall record of 46-20 with the Eagles, Hurts’ track record speaks volumes about his capabilities as a quarterback.
Hurts' career winning percentage of .697 ranks seventh-best since the 1970 NFL merger. Only legends such as Mahomes, Tom Brady, Lamar Jackson, Roger Staubach, Joe Montana, and Peyton Manning surpass him. Moreover, Hurts holds a unique NFL record with nine career postseason rushing touchdowns, the most by any quarterback in history. This season, he ranks second in Quarterback Rating (QBR) against the blitz, boasting a remarkable 91 rating.
Hurts has shown significant growth in his fifth NFL season. He has become more vocal and expressive on the field, a change from previous seasons when he seemed more reserved. His teammates and coaches have noticed this transformation. Shane Beamer, who got an up-close look at Hurts' intangibles when he transferred to Oklahoma in 2019, remarked on Hurts' leadership qualities.
"He's a special player, special person, and all that adds up to the 'it' factor." – Shane Beamer
Upon joining Oklahoma, it took Hurts less than a week to command respect and lead the team after a weight room session. His ability to take charge quickly became apparent, and he has carried that trait into his professional career.
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni has expressed unwavering confidence in Hurts' leadership and winning mentality.
"I don't want anybody else leading this team at quarterback other than him. He's a winner," – Nick Sirianni
Despite his accomplishments, Hurts faces criticism regarding his playing style and performance. Nonetheless, he remains focused on proving doubters wrong.
"I know for him, he just wants to go out there and prove people wrong," – Graham
Hurts emphasizes that his focus is not on statistics but on winning games and achieving success on his terms.
"I don't play the game for stats. I don't play the game for numbers, any statistical approval from anyone else," – Jalen Hurts
"And I understand that everyone has a preconceived notion on how they want it to look, or how they expect it to look. I told you guys that success is defined by that particular individual, and it's all relative to the person. And what I define it as is winning." – Jalen Hurts
The quarterback's journey hasn't been without its challenges. He expressed distress after the Eagles' collapse at the end of last season. However, this season has seen him embracing his leadership role more fully.
"He was having fun, but even more now, just letting loose. Because if I'm going to be the No. 1 guy and people want to hear from me, I think that's what he's embracing this year, like, I'm going to make sure they hear me." – Brandon Graham
Hurts’ ability to perform under pressure is well acknowledged by those around him. His teammate Jordan Mailata believes that Hurts excels when others doubt him.
"We always talk about limiting the outside noise or the white noise, whatever you want to call it. But I know he hears that and I think he plays his best when he feels like people doubt him." – Jordan Mailata
This season has also seen Hurts adapting his playing style to meet new demands. With center Jason Kelce's retirement, Hurts has taken over pre-snap duties—an additional responsibility that showcases his growth as a quarterback. He was asked to use his legs more this season, setting personal highs with 233 rushing attempts for 1,298 yards and 20 touchdowns. Additionally, he pushed the ball downfield with a career-high 12-plus air yards per attempt.
Despite some criticism of his passing game which features playmakers like A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert, Hurts has maintained focus on team success over individual recognition.
"He deals with so much criticism which just blows my mind because of the questions I have to answer… it's just like, man, this guy wins. He's won his entire life." – Nick Sirianni
In recent matchups, Hurts threw for over 200 yards twice from mid-November onward. His performances have kept him in MVP discussions since 2023 when he emerged as a new contender matching the moment with fiery performances and matching attire.
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