As the vibrant yellow and red confetti fell from the top of State Farm Stadium, the Eagles were sure of one thing and possibly one thing only after their heartbreaking loss to the Chiefs. Their future is now and it starts with Jalen Hurts.
No one in their right mind thought it would happen this way. The team that hasn’t been “battle-tested” all season going toe to toe with the juggernauts of the AFC. Regardless of what anyone thinks, the Chiefs are the team to beat every season as long as Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid are there.
Their tandem and experience together proved to be the deficient factor in a 38-35 victory over the feisty Philadelphia Eagles. But if we’re being honest, even with Andy Reid and Steve Spagnoulo’s experience in big games, they had no answer for Philly’s sure thing, Jalen Hurts.
A third-year QB at the age of 24 who has been written off by nearly every national football analyst. Jalen Hurts has been called Taysom Hill 2.0, Tim Tebow with an arm, a running back, and worst of all, he’s been told that he’s just not good enough.
“Make Jalen Hurts play Quarterback”
But not being good enough means that you can’t complete 71% of your passes on the NFL’s biggest stage. It means that you shouldn’t be able to carry your team and rush for 3 touchdowns while throwing one touchdown. You shouldn’t be able to throw for 304 passing yards if you’re a running back, I mean just ask Kyle Shanahan and Christian McCaffrey.
That’s who Jalen Hurts is though. He’s the guy that will prove the world wrong without saying a word. A stand-up guy who puts his team first and believes in uplifting the people around him as opposed to being selfish and worrying about his brand.
His leadership qualities are off the charts and are light years ahead of the next good QB. Not only did he change how the Eagles play football but he changes the culture of a whole city and has given them hope for quite possibly the next decade.
Even with his defense reeling and unable to stop a nosebleed, Jalen Hurts still put the team first and held his poise. He didn’t point fingers at anyone. He didn’t complain or make excuses due to bad officiating. He kept his head high and declared that he will learn from this experience for the next shot that they get.
Hurts may have not won the MVP award that he so rightfully deserved during the season and even in the Super Bowl. We’re well aware of the fixation that the NFL has with Patrick Mahomes. He’s the face of the brand so they need to keep that going with Brady leaving.
But Jalen Hurts won something far greater and that’s the respect and admiration of the city of Philadelphia. The toughest sports town in all of America. The same city that booed Donovan McNabb when he was drafted but was heartbroken after Wentz’s demise.
Jalen Hurts is Philadelphia. Underrated, hated for being himself, hardworking, and filled with the grit that comes from proving doubters wrong. So while the city recovers from the devastating loss, there’s one thing that should help lift their spirits. The only sure thing in Philly. The thought that their Franchise QB is on the verge of being the next big thing in the NFL, whether the outsiders like it or not.
AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez
