In case you missed it, we’ve been following together with ESPN’s positional rating collection right here at Bleeding Inexperienced Nation. The newest NFL insider survey article includes 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 finest quarterback within the league. This 12 months, the Philadelphia Eagles QB is just not thought-about 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 have been so uncharacteristic that the full almost matched that of his first three years mixed (18). A knee harm that he tried his finest to handle clearly affected him, based on a number of evaluators.
“He was enjoying harm,” an NFC govt mentioned. “The Eagles tried to downplay that, however he didn’t look proper. He wasn’t the identical runner he was previously, and passing the ball was robust for him.” Added an AFC scout: “He’ll at all times be in that 7-12 vary, relying on how productive he’s every year.”
Additionally of observe: The Eagles’ offense “grew to become stale” as a complete, based on a high-ranking NFL workforce official, and the predictable offensive assault affected Hurts’ inventory.
Jeremy Fowler, who finally 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 harm report in some instances, however they felt like he simply wasn’t shifting the identical, couldn’t try this dual-threat capacity that he’s so good at with the offense. After which Nick Sirianni’s assault with Philly final 12 months was simply not excellent. They have been in a state of affairs the place they type 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 ready the place he wasn’t highlighted. I’ll level out that numerous voters say that, regardless that he’s excellent, he’s by no means going to be a high 5 quarterback within the eyes of numerous evaluators. He’s type 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 purpose for optimism. Hurts must be more healthy this season. There’s additionally an opportunity that new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore may help him greater than Sirianni/Brian Johnson did final 12 months. Maybe we see a participant a lot nearer to his 2022 near-MVP kind.
Nonetheless, it’s additionally attainable he stagnates and seems to be the beautiful good however not flat out nice participant that some insiders suppose he’ll change into. 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 is just not 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 an everyday season MVP stage but in addition a Tremendous Bowl MVP type of stage. It’d hardly be stunning if subsequent 12 months’s ESPN polling considers him to be a high 10 QB once more.
How are you feeling about Hurts coming into the 2024 season? Vote within the polls under and scroll all the way down to the feedback to weigh in.
