Why Joe Burrow is Seriously Envious of Jalen Hurts’ Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has what Joe Burrow wants, and not just a Super Bowl ring that his Cincinnati Bengals came a field goal shy of winning in 2022.  As Hurts and the Eagles look to defend the franchise’s second Vince Lombardi Trophy, general manager Howie Roseman has set his Super Bowl MVP quarterback up with the kind of weapons that even surpass the dynamic duo of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins that Burrow has on the receiving end of his passes.

Not only does Hurts get to look to his left and see reigning Offensive Player of The Year Saquon Barkley standing beside him in the backfield, but receivers A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and tight end Dallas Goedert are among the premier collection of pass catchers in the sport.

It’s all by design by Roseman, and a model Burrow says he wishes the Bengals would emulate to follow in Philadelphia’s Super Bowl path.  “Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who brought up Philadelphia as a prototype,” ESPN’s Bill Barnwell writes. For what he wanted his own team to do. “The Eagles are paying everybody,” Burrow said in February. “That seems like the way. Whatever they’re doing.”

While the Eagles boast plenty of talent on defense, and just paid All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun $51 million over the next three years, to keep the playmaker in place off the most productive season of his career, Barnwell points out that Philadelphia is set to spend the 17th most in the league on defense, it’s the offense where Roseman is breaking the bank.  “Burrow was (and remains) absolutely correct [about the Eagles’ spending on offense],” Barnwell points out. “The Eagles fielded the most expensive offense in NFL history, as they paid out $193.9 million to their offensive stars.

There have been no cutbacks this offseason. With center Cam Jurgens becoming the latest standout to sign an extension and running back Saquon Barkley earning a raise after his spectacular debut season in Philadelphia, the Eagles really are paying just about everyone. The only starters on their offense who aren’t going to be on something resembling a market-value veteran deal are right guard Tyler Steen and tight end Grant Calcaterra, both of whom are on rookie contracts.  “Roseman is set to spend a whopping $217.3 million on the offensive side of the ball in 2025. That’s $30 million more than any other team.”

 

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In addition to spending big, the Eagles have paid to retain their own homegrown talent, such as Hurts, Smith, Goedert, offensive linemen Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata, and Jurgens while managing to surround Hurts with arguably the deepest offense in football even after signing him to his second contract.  Cincinnati paid a premium to keep Chase and Higgins, inking both to record-setting deals, but few front offices have done more to surround their quarterback with elite homegrown talent across the board.  If building around a star quarterback is the blueprint, the Eagles aren’t just following it, they’re redefining it. And the rest of the NFL, including Burrow’s Bengals, would be smart to be taking notes.