Coming off the highs of a well-decorated season, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, Jalen Hurts, held his first press conference of the offseason during the Eagles’ voluntary workout program. Among other topics, he discussed his absence from the White House, his meeting with global sports icon Michael Jordan and the team’s desire for a third Super Bowl in franchise history.
Jalen Hurts on White House absence
A recent situation that kept Hurts’ name on the headlines for weeks was his absence from the White House, as the Eagles paid President Donald Trump a courtesy visit with the Vince Lombardi Trophy. The Eagles were represented by a group of about 55, with Jalen Hurts being one notable absentee, whose absence was preannounced by a White House release, citing “scheduling conflicts” as the reason.
“I wasn’t available,” Hurts said (Via AL.Com). “I don’t think that’s pertinent. Everyone who went and was available seemed to enjoy themselves.”
Hurts, however, had a Super Bowl run, so impressive that his absence didn’t restrict him from getting his deserved accolades from President Donald Trump, who gave him a special mention.
“Complementing Saquon’s historic season was an incredible year for star quarterback Jalen Hurts,” Trump said.
“He had a great season and a great game. He finished with 32 touchdowns for the year, turning in one stellar performance after another. A terrific guy and a terrific player.”
Meeting Michael Jordan
Hurts also spoke about a meeting with Michael Jordan in March where he got the needed motivation and lessons to go ahead and clinch a possible third Super Bowl win for the Eagles in 2026.
“As competitive as he is, it would be unwise of me not to seek knowledge from him and lean on someone like that, so it’s something that I value a lot,” Hurts told the press.
“One of the biggest things is taking it one day at a time. We have these goals and big dreams of things we want to accomplish, but ultimately it’s a journey. So take it day-by-day. Like I said earlier, being able to decode, detect and correct, and pretty much just refine. Refine the things that I need to so I can be at my best when needed.”
And when the Super Bowl LIX MVP did speak about the 2025-2026 season, he did speak like one who has drawn much inspiration and wisdom from the basketball legend, who not only won six championships, but was named finals MVP for all six titles.
“Nothing’s changed in terms of the drive and the effort and the focus that I know it takes to go out there and do what I’m asked to do,” Hurts said. “There are a lot of things externally that you really can’t control. For me, I’ve just always focused inward on holding myself accountable to try and do my best. And so there may be external perspectives on different things. Ultimately, it’s all subjective. I try and do the objective – the undeniable, the winning — but also just focusing on things I can control and taking it a day at a time. And so everything that’s been accomplished to this point is great, but there’s a desire to achieve more – and it’s only intensified.”
To prove how much he’s kept the success of the 2024 season behind him–including the Vince Lombardi and the Pete Rozelle Trophy–Hurts declined to speak on the team’s accomplishments in 2024, choosing to let bygones be bygones.
On his perspective of the team’s victories in 2024, Hurts shrugged off the topic, ‘we’re here talking about the 2025-26 season.”
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
