In case you missed it, we’ve been following together with ESPN’s positional rating sequence right here at Bleeding Inexperienced Nation. The most recent NFL insider survey article contains a subject that’s most likely certain to generate a disagreement or two: quarterbacks!
Final 12 months, the mixture of 80ish executives, coaches, coordinators, and scouts ranked Jalen Hurts because the sixth greatest quarterback within the league. This 12 months, the Philadelphia Eagles QB shouldn’t be thought of to be a high 10 participant at his place.
Hurts was as a substitute included within the “honorable mentions” part, together with Brock Purdy, Jordan Love, Tua Tagovailoa, Kirk Cousins, and Trevor Lawrence. Right here’s the write-up on him:
After a 12 months 3 star flip that garnered a Tremendous Bowl look and a $255 million contract, Hurts’ play dipped in 2023. His QBR rating fell from fourth (68.3) to twelfth (60.1). His 15 interceptions had been so uncharacteristic that the overall practically matched that of his first three years mixed (18). A knee damage that he tried his greatest to handle clearly affected him, in accordance with a number of evaluators.
“He was taking part in harm,” an NFC government mentioned. “The Eagles tried to downplay that, however he didn’t look proper. He wasn’t the identical runner he was prior to now, and passing the ball was powerful for him.” Added an AFC scout: “He’ll all the time be in that 7-12 vary, relying on how productive he’s every year.”
Additionally of word: The Eagles’ offense “turned stale” as a complete, in accordance with a high-ranking NFL staff official, and the predictable offensive assault affected Hurts’ inventory.
Jeremy Fowler, who in the end performed this NFL insider survey, was requested why Hurts dropped out of the highest 10 throughout a broadcast look:
“Accidents and unhealthy offense, it’s fairly easy. Executives level out to me that Jalen Hurts didn’t look proper final 12 months. The Eagles can downplay any knee points he was coping with in-season, he wasn’t actually on the damage report in some instances, however they felt like he simply wasn’t transferring the identical, couldn’t do this dual-threat potential that he’s so good at with the offense. After which Nick Sirianni’s assault with Philly final 12 months was simply not superb. They had been in a scenario the place they sort of rolled the ball out, tried to do what they did the 12 months earlier than, groups adjusted, the Eagles didn’t evolve, and Hurts was able the place he wasn’t highlighted. I’ll level out that lots of voters say that, though he’s superb, he’s by no means going to be a high 5 quarterback within the eyes of lots of evaluators. He’s form of in that 7-to-13 vary relying on how he does that [given] 12 months.
If we’re to take these explanations as canon, there’s cause for optimism. Hurts ought to be more healthy this season. There’s additionally an opportunity that new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore can assist him greater than Sirianni/Brian Johnson did final 12 months. Maybe we see a participant a lot nearer to his 2022 near-MVP type.
Nonetheless, it’s additionally doable he stagnates and seems to be the beautiful good however not flat out nice participant that some insiders suppose he’ll become. If that involves go, he’ll be extra of a high-level “win with” quarterback than “win due to” quarterback that the Eagles are paying Hurts, who’s the sixth-highest yearly paid participant at his place, to be. QB purgatory shouldn’t be a spot you need to reside; simply ask anybody who’s needed to root for the aforementioned Kirk Cousins.
In fact, it’s a bit untimely to say that Hurts has already reached his ceiling. He’s nonetheless solely 25 (turns 26 on August 7) and we’ve seen him play at not solely a daily season MVP stage but in addition a Tremendous Bowl MVP sort of stage. It’d hardly be surprising if subsequent 12 months’s ESPN polling considers him to be a high 10 QB once more.
How are you feeling about Hurts getting into the 2024 season? Vote within the polls beneath and scroll right down to the feedback to weigh in.
