Jalen Hurts is aware of his mistakes from 2023. Knowing him, he undoubtedly went over all of his errors in criticism, calling out everything from missed reads to hurried passes. He is aware that he could have led the Eagles more effectively in 2023, particularly during their disastrous 1-6 season. Many inside and without the club have said that Hurts is much more outspoken and is making his mark on the 2024 Eagles, which is good.
As an old soul with traditional morals, Hurts had always shown respect for the veterans. It is the manner in which he was raised and the manner in which things were done in Alabama and Oklahoma. Hurts has traveled this route as an Eagle. He didn’t consider it was his right to speak up, owing respect to Fletcher Cox and Jason Kelce, the esteemed captains of the squad. That voice now belongs to him, the franchise quarterback and face of the team because Kelce and Cox are no longer there. His rapport with Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni is likewise strong. Despite what has been blown out of proportion locally, there are no problems there.
Everyone had a part to play in the Eagles’ collapse the previous season, from the players’ own decision to leave for first-year offensive coordinator Brian Johnson and late-season defensive coordinator replacement Matt Patricia, to Sirianni’s coaching bandwidth being so stretched that he was unable to see through the swoon that was erupting before his eyes, to Hurts’ unwillingness to speak up despite having the support of veterans, and even a few of them pleading with him to do so.
Hurts has never been a rah-rah person and never will be. He refuses to fake a smile for the cameras. He conceals his feelings well. “Actor” is not what he is. He refuses to perform for the press. He has never done so. He exudes authenticity. The $255 million contract he signed last offseason disrupted his usual regimen. His availability to the press, supporters, and teammates decreased. To be fair, Hurts is already extremely guarded, but the numerous open hands that were extended to him during the previous offseason made his protective walls even stronger, targeting his popularity at a time when his brand was highly sought after.
Hurts has not stopped being visible this offseason. He has shown greater demonstrativeness. He has been much easier to get in touch with. He has made it a point to work out in the weight room with different position groupings, motivating everyone and Saquon Barkley in particular. He used to skip teammate functions, but now he shows up.
His colleagues have observed.
Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson stated Hurts had “gone out of his way to connect with his teammates” last week on The Rich Eisen Show. In this offseason alone, he has done an amazing job of strengthening his bonds with his teammates. The bond has, in my opinion, undoubtedly strengthened. a huge off-season. It’s never been a problem with the work ethic. Tremendous worker. Simply put, though, he’s growing more of a vocal leader, and when he talks, people pay attention.
Being in that town every year is like having to prove yourself to everyone. Going ahead, Jalen is our man. He works harder than anyone else, and we love and respect him for it.
It is widely believed that Hurts’ teammates will make sure their quarterback is defended this time if Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke leaps over the line and smacks Hurts in the head, as he did in the season finale on January 7, with :58 remaining in the first quarter of the Eagles’ horrible 27-10 loss.
