The Philadelphia Eagles aren’t strangers to pressure. When you’ve been one of the NFL’s most consistent contenders in recent years-and especially when you're fresh off a Super Bowl win-the expectations don’t just rise, they skyrocket. So when the offense starts to sputter, the spotlight gets hot, and fingers start pointing.
Lately, that spotlight has landed squarely on quarterback Jalen Hurts.
There’s been chatter-unconfirmed but loud-that Hurts has expressed reluctance to run too many designed quarterback runs. And after the Eagles’ underwhelming showing against the Bears on Black Friday, that rumor picked up steam. Fans and pundits alike questioned whether Hurts was being too cautious, too selective, at a time when the offense needs all the juice it can get.
But head coach Nick Sirianni isn’t having any of it.
Sirianni Stands Behind His QB
Speaking on the WIP Morning Show, Sirianni made it clear: Jalen Hurts is all in.
“Jalen has proven that he'll do anything he needs to do to win each and every game,” Sirianni said. “I don't want to downplay what anybody hears with reports, but like we are not focused on that.
It's not like, 'Hey this report was out, let's Jalen and I have a conversation about it.' If we involved ourselves in all of those things, I wouldn't have time to do anything else."
That’s not just coach-speak. It’s a reminder that, inside the building, the Eagles are keeping their eyes on the bigger picture. The NFC East is still up for grabs, and with the postseason looming, the last thing this team can afford is internal noise disrupting their rhythm.
Offensive Identity in Question
Still, there’s no denying the offense has looked out of sync. What was once a dynamic, multi-layered attack has turned sluggish.
The run game, in particular, has lost its edge. Whether it's Hurts, Saquon Barkley, or anyone else in the backfield, someone has to spark this ground game back to life.
And that’s where the rumor-true or not-strikes a nerve. Designed quarterback runs have long been a staple of this offense.
They add unpredictability. They keep defenses honest.
And when Hurts is at his best, they’re a nightmare to defend. If that element is being dialed back, whether by coaching decision or quarterback preference, it changes the entire offensive calculus.
But it’s also worth remembering who Jalen Hurts is. He’s not a diva.
He’s not someone who’s ever shied away from contact or competition. His track record shows a player who leads by example, who embraces the grind, and who’s willing to put his body on the line when the game demands it.
Leadership Under Fire
This is the kind of moment that tests a quarterback’s leadership. Not just in the huddle, but in how he handles the noise outside it.
Hurts has been here before. He’s faced doubters, fought through adversity, and come out stronger on the other side.
That’s part of what’s made him the face of this franchise.
Now, with the offense searching for answers and the division race tightening, that leadership is more important than ever. The Eagles don’t need perfection from their quarterback-they need presence.
They need decisiveness. And yes, they may need him to run.
The Road Ahead
There’s still time to course-correct. The Eagles have the talent.
They’ve got a coaching staff that’s been through the wars. And in Jalen Hurts, they have a quarterback who’s proven he can carry the weight when it matters most.
But make no mistake-this stretch run will define their season. If the offense keeps stalling, the questions will only get louder. And fair or not, Hurts will be at the center of them.
For now, Sirianni’s message is clear: the Eagles are unified, and their quarterback is committed. Whether that translates into wins down the stretch remains to be seen. But if history is any indicator, betting against Hurts when the stakes are high usually doesn’t end well.