According to reports, the Philadelphia Eagles are looking for quarterback Jalen Hurts to step up his vocal presence going forward.
Mike Garafolo of NFL Network revealed that while the Eagles don’t doubt Hurts’ potential as their long-term franchise quarterback, they do want to see him assume a more active leadership role.
Ian Rapoport tweeted on NFL GameDay, stating that the Eagles are encouraging Hurts to be more vocal and upbeat, signaling a desire for him to take on a more prominent leadership role.
It was mentioned that Eagles’ edge Haason Reddick had been granted permission to explore a trade, and the Steelers might express interest in free agent QB Ryan Tannehill.
Hurts experienced a significant decline in performance during the latter half of the 2023 season. Despite initially showcasing MVP-level potential as the Eagles got off to a strong start, his completion percentage, yards per attempt, and touchdown rate decreased over the final eight games.
The Eagles ended the season with a disappointing record, losing six of their last seven games, including a demoralizing 32-9 defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card Round.
The team responded to this collapse with substantial changes on both offense and defense, dismissing offensive coordinator Brian Johnson and defensive coordinator Sean Desai. Kellen Moore, previously with the Dallas Cowboys and the Los Angeles Chargers, was brought in to lead the offense.
This transition marks Hurts’ fourth offensive coordinator in five NFL seasons, highlighting the instability within the coaching staff.
With head coach/play-caller Doug Pederson let go after the 2020 season, Shane Steichen departing for the Indianapolis Colts’ head-coaching role after 2022, and Johnson’s brief tenure ending, questions abound regarding the team’s stability.
Coach Nick Sirianni, under scrutiny following the team’s second-half collapse, enters the 2024 season on thin ice. The decision to overhaul both coordinator positions raises doubts about his leadership. If the team’s downward trajectory continues, Sirianni could be the next casualty.
Given the upheaval within the coaching ranks, Hurts’ emergence as a vocal leader is crucial. The Eagles made a significant investment in Hurts last offseason, signing him to a $255 million deal, indicating their faith in him as a franchise cornerstone. They expect him to assume leadership responsibilities both on and off the field.
With uncertainty surrounding the future of offensive leader Jason Kelce, who is contemplating retirement, Hurts must step into the role of being the team’s primary voice behind the scenes, mirroring Kelce’s leadership.
