The Philadelphia Eagles are a year removed from their quarterback controversy, and Jalen Hurts was on the winning end of it.
Carson Wentz was traded to the Indianapolis Colts, and the Eagles benefitted from favorable draft picks in the deal.
However, the NFL is in the era of talking about swapping or replacing starting quarterbacks especially since Matthew Stafford won a Super Bowl with the Rams in the first season after he was acquired in a trade from the Lions.
Is Jalen Hurts secure in his QB1 position?
He has earned a long look and will likely have the job unless there is a crazy transaction for one of the following more experienced and established quarterbacks.
1. Deshaun Watson
Hurts is young so would the Eagles consider benching or trading him if they could land Deshaun Watson.
The Eagles reportedly had a strong interest in Watson last offseason but did not go through with any deals to acquire him.
Expect rumors all offseason involving these teams and Deshaun Watson
Also be wary that the Eagles were rumored to of offered 4 1st for Watson & went as far as even sending their security team to check up on Watson, this was last offseason through the trade deadline. https://t.co/vj2UD5hzOe pic.twitter.com/nywNw2O1mF
— Clutch City Entertainment (@ClutchCityENTX) February 15, 2022
Watson is a great player, but the off-the-field issues certainly muddy the picture for any team interested in trading for him.
How long could they have him if the legal issues involve criminal or civil penalties and subsequent discipline from the NFL?
2. Russell Wilson
Russell Wilson is not officially on the trade block.
Like the last offseason, there are plenty of rumors circulating about him and his future in Seattle, but there is no reason to believe he is leaving the Seahawks.
Should the Eagles trade for Russell Wilson? 👀 pic.twitter.com/4luj3hFCyH
— PFF (@PFF) February 17, 2022
If he does, the Eagles could be among a long list of teams interested in trading for him.
As an Eagles fan myself :
I don’t want DeShaun Watson.
I want a QB that has good character. More as a person, & not just his good stats
Thats why I prefer Russell Wilson
Jalen Hurts is a great Kid but he doesn’t have it as a franchise NFL QB. He’s a very good backup at best
— STU NO GOTZ 🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺 (@Stu_No_Gotz) February 16, 2022
The upside for Hurts is better than Watson or Wilson.
As mentioned above, Watson’s legal issues put a cloud over his NFL career until they are resolved.
Wilson is older and could follow the Tom Brady lead and play ten more years or call it a career much sooner than that.
He was previously immune to injury but missed playing time in 2021; Hurts is 10 years younger than Wilson.
Who The Eagles Are Not Interested In
Hurts does not need to look over his shoulder for Jimmy Garoppolo.
There have been several reports indicating the Eagles are not interested in Garoppolo who is expected to be traded by the 49ers during this offseason.
Report: #Eagles won’t be interested in acquiring Jimmy Garoppolo, per @JFMcMullen
— JPA Football (@jpafootball) February 20, 2022
Why Not Fly With Hurts?
The Eagles have already said that he is the starting quarterback for the 2022 season.
The Philadelphia Eagles say Jalen Hurts will be the team’s starting quarterback in 2022.https://t.co/2jBNjSbduv
— Philadelphia Tribune (@PhillyTrib) January 20, 2022
Why would they change course now?
The Jalen Hurts disrespect is OUTRAGEOUS. If the Eagles trade him away they will regret it.
He’s the kind of player built to succeed in Philadelphia.
He needs better play calling by the coaching staff. Get Devonta Smith involved? Continue running the ball.🤷🏻♂️#JalenHurts #NFL
— PPRFantasyTips (@PPRFantasyTips) February 16, 2022
They may pause if a free agent, draft pick, or trade opportunity presents itself, but it seems almost certain that Hurts has earned the job.
Hurts is smart, mobile, and a good passer.
“Jalen Hurts doesn’t have an arm.”
People really think this man can’t throw the rock when he’s clearly shown he can.
😎 All he does is prove people wrong pic.twitter.com/jb0S2rOgP6
— EaglesStrictly (@EaglesStrictly) January 13, 2022
Yes, he has experienced the typical ups and downs of a young quarterback making the transition from the college to pro ranks, but he is only going to get better as he enters his second full season as QB1 and the third in the NFL.
Jalen Hurts was sacked just 26 times this season. Only one other QB was sacked less than he was — Tom Brady (22) pic.twitter.com/dC9blXi09M
— Victor Williams (@ThePhillyPod) January 11, 2022
Hurts was sacked at half the rate Joe Burrow was in 2021.
The Eagles did not look good in the playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but Hurts was still dealing with the aftereffects of an ankle injury.
#Eagles QB Jalen Hurts left the stadium in a walking boot because of an ankle injury he’s been battling for weeks. He’s been able to tolerate the pain caused by damaged ligaments, but he clearly wasn’t 100% like earlier in the season when he was dynamic in the run game.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 17, 2022
Given the opportunity, there are plenty of reasons to believe a healthy and more experienced Hurts can lead the Eagles to the playoffs in 2022.
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