It was two years ago when Jalen Hurts stood at the podium and delivered what has become his trademark quote: “I had a purpose before anyone had an opinion.” The Eagles’ quarterback was trying to diffuse a ticking time bomb before Super Bowl 57, putting it out there that he has always been his harshest critic.
Fast forward to 2025. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has just handed him the Super Bowl MVP trophy — green-and-white confetti clumped up in his cleats, “Breed of One” sweater quarter-zipped up to his chin, infectious smile tattoed on his face — and Hurts was going deep into his bag of cliched treats.
Fittingly, Hurts ended his post-Super Bowl press conference with the one that started the magical journey to a Lombardi Trophy two years ago.
“What’s the quote? I had a purpose before anybody had an opinion,” Hurts told reporters on February 10. “You know, that thing is still true. And my purpose is being what God called me to be, and like I said, it’s never been about anyone else. It’s never been about anyone else. It’s always been about the journey and embracing everything and being able to grow, and being the best that I can be.”
“Money is nice, Championships are better.”@JalenHurts | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/Ir9ZbYEW9F
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) February 11, 2025
Hurts has endured much during his 26 years on this planet. Benched at halftime in the 2018 National Championship Game at Alabama. Jettisoned to the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft for “no arm talent.” Compared to Tim Tebow. Booed in Week 2 for blowing a winnable game against Atlanta. Considered an enemy in his own locker room after an overhyped beef with Eagles’ teammate A.J. Brown.
Hurts’ purpose? It’s a higher one. It’s the new Gold Standard in Philadelphia following a near-perfect outing to stop the Kansas City Chiefs from a three-peat.
“This whole entire journey of mine has been truly unprecedented,” Hurts said after defeating the Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl 59. “Just enduring some of the things, and experiencing some of the things, and the bumps and joys, and everything that I’ve endured, it’s been unprecedented.
“Along the journey, I think even as a child growing up, I didn’t dream of playing on the big stage … I didn’t dream of these moments. It was more so just the work and the determination, just to be the best that I can be, and there’s a point where I couldn’t put a limit on myself … you know, if I had the right mentality and the right approach and the right effort and so when you hoist those trophies, it’s more so about the journey and less about the results.”
Jalen Hurts GOLD 🥇
“I had a purpose before everyone had an opinion.”
Success isn’t built on approval. It’s built on conviction.
– Block out the noise.
– Lock in on the mission.
– Let your work do the talking.Why do you play/coach?pic.twitter.com/VdQbg3jfK1
— Greg Berge (@gb1121) February 9, 2025
Eagles Quarterback Update: Don’t Forget About Kenny Pickett
Kenny Pickett was the one in victory formation at Super Bowl 59, taking the final snap in garbage time and kneeling down as Kenny Gainwell waved his arms in celebration. Game over. Championship secured.
Pickett, a former first-round pick (20th overall) in 2022, grew up an Eagles fan (Ocean Township, NJ) and got to hoist up the Lombardi Trophy in his first year with the hometown team. It’s unclear if the 26-year-old quarterback will be backing up Hurts in 2025 but safe to say he’s loving life.
Say what you will about Kenny Pickett. I know he’s not well liked. Because of how he left. And how he played. But he got to take a knee in victory formation to win a Super Bowl. For the team he grew up cheering for. That’s cool. pic.twitter.com/Tt2KsTFwQS
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) February 10, 2025
There’s no guarantee that Pickett returns next year — one wild rumor from ESPN has him getting traded to the Los Angeles Rams — but his contract does run through 2026 ($2.6 million). The Eagles will have to make some tough decisions this offseason at the quarterback position, especially after the way third-stringer Tanner McKee lit it up in emergency duty. Either way, it’s a good problem to have.
“I love Kenny. I love his approach,” Saquon Barkley said of Pickett in late December after he filled in for a concussed Hurts (via The News Journal). “I love the way that he comes to work − all year. Sometimes being the No. 2 quarterback, you never know when your time is going to be. But you gotta be ready, and I think he did a really good job coming into the game and making some plays for us.”
REUTERS/Mike Segar
