Jalen Hurts, the starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, faces significant pressure to maintain his position as the team’s leader under center. Hurts’ future with the Eagles, however, depends on his ability to consistently perform at a high level. Here’s what Hurts needs to do to keep his job:
1. Consistent Performance: Hurts must deliver consistent, high-quality performances. The Eagles rely on him to execute their offense effectively, and he has shown flashes of brilliance, especially in the 2022 season, when he led the team to a Super Bowl appearance. To retain his role, Hurts needs to continue improving his passing accuracy and decision-making, while also maintaining his dual-threat ability as a runner.
2. Avoid Injuries: Injuries have been a concern throughout Hurts’ career. The Eagles have invested in Hurts’ long-term development, but his ability to stay healthy is crucial. If Hurts were to miss significant time due to injury, it would open the door for backup quarterbacks to step in. Hurts’ durability is critical for his future as the Eagles’ QB1.
3. Team Success: The Eagles are one of the NFC’s top contenders, and Hurts is expected to lead them to postseason success. If the team’s overall performance dips or Hurts doesn’t improve on his previous seasons, the Eagles could look elsewhere for a quarterback to lead them deeper into the playoffs.
4. Development of Backup QBs: Philadelphia has depth at quarterback, with backup players like Marcus Mariota and Ian Book. If Hurts struggles, the coaching staff could give these backups more reps, and if they perform well, it could force a change at quarterback.
For Hurts, maintaining his starting job depends on continued development, staying healthy, and leading the Eagles to victories in both the regular season and the playoffs.