According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Doug Pederson has come to a decision on who will start at quarterback against the Saints this weekend. That man is Jalen Hurts.
This comes on the back of a second-half outing against the Packers that saw Hurts provide a spark to the offense. After Carson Wentz was pulled from the game just two and a half quarters in, Hurts connected with Reagor deep downfield for a 34-yard gain, amassed 29 rushing yards extremely quickly, and went 5-for-12 for 109 yards passing, 1 TD and 1 INT.
Pederson had elected to make the decision on his own, refusing to let outside voices tilt his opinion. The Eagles Head Coach joined the Eagles ini 2016, when the Eagles drafted Carson Wentz with the second overall pick.
This was ultimately the right decision. What happens in the long-term is anybody’s guess, but Hurts will provide the Eagles with a spark offensively that Wentz has been unable to through 13 consecutive games despite flashes of his talent still being there.
Carson Wentz ultimately struggled in 2020 and suffered a huge regression in terms of mechanics. His accuracy had disappeared, his quick decsion-making seemed non-existent, and he’d often turn the ball over or miss easy passes due to a lack of touch.
Wentz has been sacked more than any other QB in the NFL this season, through partly his own weaknesses, and largely a flailing offensive line that is severely banged up. The dynamic play of a QB who rushed for 1,298 yards with Oklahoma last year alone is bound to at least negate some of the pressure he will face.
The Eagles shockingly drafted Jalen Hurts in the second round of this year’s draft and now it’s time to see what they have. Hurts may have been known for being benched in favor of Tua on the grandest stage under Saban’s guidance at Alabama, but after transferring to Oklahoma, the 6’2, 218 lbs, QB had his best season yet, proving there was more in the tank. In 2019, he threw for the highest amount of yards in his college career (3,851) with a 69% completion rate and his best touchdown to interception ratio (32:8).
The problem they now face is what happens if Hurts balls out? Will the Eagles have to find a way to move on from the $128M man? Will Carson Wentz have to fight for a starting role under a new Head Coach? Will Doug Pederson increase his chances of sticking around or further alienate them? How will the locker room, who have unanimously stood behind Wentz this season, react?
It’s going to be a very interesting few weeks in the City of Brotherly Love.
Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire
