Hurts, with a memorable performance on Monday night for the Eagles, showed everyone what can happen when you block out the noise and just put in the work.
It’s not what you know, it’s what you can prove.
The Eagles believe they have their QB1 in Jalen Hurts. Many around the league, however, went into this season with doubts that the 24-year old is the right man for the job.
Can Hurts make plays with more than just his legs?
Does he have what it takes to be a complete quarterback?
Will his decision-making improve to where he can be trusted with the keys to the offense?
League insiders, sports-debate talk shows, and even some within the team’s fan base have had their own verbal sparring sessions on these topics. For the Eagles, their 2022-23 season blueprint has Hurts pinned at the top of it. The conversation, rightfully so, starts and ends with him.
Two weeks into the season, the third-year quarterback, through hard work and focus, is showing he’s the real deal.
Hurts put the NFL, specifically his critics, on notice with a Monday night to remember in the Eagles’ 24-7 win over the Vikings at the Linc.
He used his legs to make plays, scrambling for 57 yards and two touchdowns.
It was everything else which was eye-opening. Right from the opening drive, we saw the makings of a complete quarterback.
Hurts hit five receivers on 5-for-5 passing — highlighted by a 19-yard strike to A.J. Brown — and finished the drive himself with a 3-yard scoring run.
On the first play of the second quarter, Hurts connected with a wide-open Quez Watkins for a 53-yard TD and the 14-0 lead.
Hurts was accurate on his throws, the ball came out quick and he repeatedly put his receivers in position to do damage after the catch.
He finished with 333 yards passing and a touchdown, along with the 57 yards and two scores on the ground.
There was a flow to the Eagles offense with Hurts which was beautiful to watch
“Another outstanding performance,” Jason Kelce, starting center and 12-year NFL veteran, said afterwards. “He threw some unbelievable balls. He made a lot of plays. That was a really great, well-rounded game for him, it seemed like…”
It was the observation Kelce made next which spoke volumes for Hurts and his progression as an NFL starting quarterback.
“I have to go back and watch the tape, but when I’m watching the tape, I’m not assessing the quarterback. I just know the offense was moving really well and it seemed like Jalen was doing phenomenal.”
The Eagles have surrounded Hurts with a blend of experience, youth, and speed. It’s still the quarterback, however, as the straw that stirs the drink.
If it’s truly about all 11 players on the field doing their job, QB1 must always set the tone.
At the end of the day, can the offense thrive with Hurts as their quarterback?
Go back to video of Monday night’s game. You’ll see what Kelce was speaking to. The offense was moving, there was a flow to the game plan. Yes, with Hurts — they can indeed thrive.
With Hurts, it’s all about putting in the work
Through two games, Hurts and the Eagles are 2-0. His completion percentage rate is at 69.8% (considerably up from his career 60.0% mark). He’s accounted for 723 total yards in their wins over Detroit and Minnesota. The progression in Hurts as a complete quarterback, has become a top-five on-field storyline in the NFL.
“I wouldn’t say I’m surprised,” Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said. “I’ve seen the growth. We talk about this so much with Jalen. Why is he going to continue to reach his ceiling? Because he’s tough, he has high football character and he loves football. He’s going to reach his ceiling. It’s fun watching him grow.”
His work ethic is a large reason why it’s okay to believe it’s just a matter of time before he reaches his ceiling.
During the offseason, Hurts put in the work to improve at his position. He invested in his self-development, clearly with a goal of improving on his weaknesses. At just 24 years old, as long as the focus remains on getting better each week, there’s more than enough time to reach his current ceiling and start work on reaching a new one.
This Jalen Hurts we’re watching is what happens when you tune out the noise from the outside and put in the work. It’s not a finished product, by any means, but the Eagles are right to believe in their QB1. It’s time we start believing too.
Main Image: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Anthony Rushing is on Twitter @TonyRushingNY
Baseline Sports NY is on Twitter @Baseline_NY
