NFL training camp is just around the corner. For the Philadelphia Eagles, a promising off-season has given way to the eyes of the fanbase locking onto training camp. Several players will go into this Summer knowing it’s very much all-or-nothing. This series aims to profile those players, starting with the quarterback position.
Jalen Hurts
There may not be another player in the NFL under more pressure than Jalen Hurts. While Eagle fans can argue if it’s fair or not as Hurts enters year three of his NFL career, the former Oklahoma star’s contract all but guarantees it.
As a second-round pick, Hurts doesn’t have the fifth-year option that is used on first-round picks, meaning the 2023-24 season will be his last year under his rookie contract.
The Eagles front office is notorious for agreeing to contract extensions with their rookies before their final year so it’s not farfetched to think a big Hurts season could lead to him getting a huge extension at this point next offseason.
But as every Eagles fan knows, a contract extension isn’t the only reason Hurts needs to have a big year. With rumors surrounding the quarterback’s future in Philadelphia, the contingency plans in place and plenty of draft picks to make up for a season that doesn’t end as well as someone can hope, he has to step up.
The real question is what will be the deciding factor for the Eagles to give Hurts another year? Does he need to throw 35/40 touchdowns, less than 10 picks, and win multiple playoff games? Is it really Super Bowl or bust for Jalen Hurts?
The murkiness of what exactly Hurts needs to do to earn an extended stay as the Eagles’ starting quarterback will be a cloud that hovers over the Eagles for most of the 2022 season, but it’s an important one.
Gardner Minshew
Jalen Hurts isn’t the only one under pressure in 2022 at the quarterback position.
While Gardner Minshew has put up some pretty respectable numbers as a starting quarterback, but he is the backup to Hurts heading into this season.
Minshew is entering the final year of his rookie deal after being traded from Jacksonville to Philadelphia. Only costing $2.5 million, Minshew is certainly a bargain of a backup as compared to past options in Philadelphia.
But he also wants to be a starter. In two starts last season Minshew showed enough to warrant a starting job outside of Philadelphia. Whether he gets a chance to do so, though, is another thing entirely.
It’s a make-or-break season for Minshew due to his contract, and his desire to start for a team. If he comes in relief of Hurts and keeps the Eagles winning, Minshew could be seeing a nice fat contract extension coming his way, or even starter money elsewhere if he dominates.
Eagle fans have seen crazier things happen with their backup quarterbacks.
Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire
