First Kenny Pickett then Will Grier. Neither player has a chance to unseat Jalen Hurts as the Philadelphia Eagles starting quarterback, and Hurts knows it. It’s so unlike Carson Wentz who, despite earning franchise-quarterback money just months earlier, crumbed under the perception that the Eagles were replacing him when they drafted Hurts in the second round four years ago.
Wentz, 31, is now on his fourth team after leaving Philly, signing a one-year to be Patrick Mahomes’ back up in Kansas City. He’s been to Indianapolis, Washington, Los Angeles, and now K.C. Hurts got his franchise-quarterback money last spring and is secure in knowing the job is his. Not Pickett’s and certainly not Grier’s.
Head coach Nick Sirianni said at the NFC breakfast during the annual NFL Owners Meetings that Pickett is a backup. Nothing more, and no surprise that’s what he is. “His job is to support Jalen, and help him any way that he can, and be ready to play when he needs to play,” said Sirianni. “Add to the value of the room of what he sees, a different perspective.”
Meanwhile, Hurts may be out of sight right now as the offseason continues on but he’s never out of mind. He may be become a bit of a recluse in the offseason – hey, that’s what they are for as long as you’re putting in the work and staying out of trouble, and you know Hurts is – but every now and then an image will spring forth, such as the one that his new running back, Saquon Barkley, released on his Instagram account.
Barkley shared a picture of the two working out together at an undisclosed location. Soon, that will play itself out in South Philly when the players convene at the NovaCare Complex to begin Phase One of the offseason program on April 15. Sirianni, general manager Howie Roseman, and owner Jeffrey Lurie talked to reporters about Hurts during the owners’ meetings in Orlando.
“Jalen is our franchise quarterback,” said Roseman. “I don’t think that there is anything that affects Jalen in terms of who we bring in at the quarterback position. We have tremendous faith and trust in him, and we communicate with him about anything we’re doing, just as we like to do with a bunch of our players to give a heads-up so he can welcome them to the team.”
Hurts’ leadership style was questioned after the Eagles lost six of seven. Lurie and Sirianni referred back to when the Eagles were 10-1 and Hurts was again being mentioned in the MVP race. Then the wheels flew off. Does that mean Hurts has to change his style? “The thing with Jalen – I mentioned it with Nick – is I want him to be authentic and that’s what he is,” said Lurie.
“It’s the worst thing to be 24, 25 and to try and be something. Be authentic as he is. “…I love the way Jalen is. He has his own style. I think every quarterback goes through ebbs and flows in their career. There were so many ups and then we had a difficult last five, six games of the season. He will adjust to that and lead the way because he’s really respected for being who he is. You have a 25-year-old player I think you want to reinforce who they are not try to mold them into somebody they’re not. He’s an exceptional leader.”
Leadership will be something in demand for this year’s team, no matter what it looks like, after the retirements of Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox. “Leadership is going to be important,” said Sirianni. “Jalen is going to have to have more with Jason stepping out.” What shape it will take won’t be known until later this spring and summer.
