Jalen Hurts Is Struggling - But Let’s Pump the Brakes on the Quarterback Controversy
There’s no sugarcoating it - the Philadelphia Eagles offense has hit a rough patch, and Jalen Hurts is right in the middle of it. Over the last four games, Hurts has looked out of sync, and fans are understandably frustrated.
But the latest wave of criticism? It’s starting to drift into territory that feels more reactionary than rational.
Let’s start with the facts. In three of his last four outings, Hurts has failed to complete more than 60% of his passes.
That’s not what you want from your franchise quarterback, especially in December, when playoff positioning is on the line. And his most recent performance - a 24-15 loss to the Bears - didn’t help the narrative.
Two second-half turnovers from Hurts were costly, and they ultimately sank the Eagles’ chances in that game.
That’s fair game for criticism. But now, the conversation has taken a sharp left turn.
The QB Run Debate and the Media Spiral
Reports surfaced this week suggesting that Hurts asked the Eagles to scale back on designed quarterback runs earlier in the season. That nugget has been enough to send Philly sports radio into overdrive. Some have even floated the idea of giving rookie Tanner McKee a look under center - a notion that’s gained just enough traction to be concerning.
Let’s be clear: McKee has potential. He flashed some promise last year in limited action, throwing for 323 yards and four touchdowns over two games.
But context matters - those games came against the Cowboys and Giants, two of the league’s worst defenses in 2024. That’s a far cry from the pressure cooker Hurts is facing right now.
Hurts, meanwhile, has a resume that speaks for itself. He’s won over 70% of his starts, been to two Pro Bowls, won a Super Bowl, and earned Super Bowl MVP honors.
That’s not ancient history - that’s the guy who led this team to the mountaintop not long ago. So the idea that he’s suddenly not good enough to start?
That’s not just premature - it’s flat-out misguided.
Hurts Isn’t the Only One Struggling
Yes, Hurts has to own his part of the Eagles’ recent skid. The turnovers, the missed throws, the lack of rhythm - it’s all there on tape.
But this isn’t just a quarterback problem. Head coach Nick Sirianni has made some questionable in-game decisions.
Offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo’s play calling has lacked creativity and balance. And the defense?
They’ve given up over 800 yards in the last two games. That’s a full-blown team issue, not something one player can fix alone.
The Eagles’ identity has always been about balance - a physical run game, a dynamic passing attack, and a defense that can make timely stops. Right now, none of those pieces are clicking. Hurts isn’t the sole reason for that, but as the quarterback, he’s naturally going to take the heat.
The Real Question: Will Hurts Run More?
If there’s a conversation worth having, it’s this: Is Jalen Hurts willing to lean back into the run game to spark this offense?
When Hurts is at his best, he’s a dual-threat nightmare - the kind of quarterback who forces defenses to account for every inch of the field. If he truly asked the team to dial back the designed runs, that’s understandable from a health and longevity standpoint.
But with the season on the line, the Eagles might need him to dig into that part of his game again. Not permanently, but situationally - enough to keep defenses honest and open up the rest of the offense.
Hurts has proven time and again that he’s a team-first player. If dialing up a few more QB runs gets the Eagles back in rhythm, there’s every reason to believe he’ll do it.
Bottom Line
This isn’t the time to abandon ship on Jalen Hurts. Critique the mistakes?
Absolutely. But let’s not lose perspective.
He’s earned the benefit of the doubt, and the Eagles are still very much in the thick of the playoff race.
The noise around Hurts will continue - that’s life in Philadelphia when expectations are sky-high. But if he and the coaching staff can recalibrate, there’s still time to right the ship.
The Eagles don’t need a quarterback change. They need their quarterback - the one who’s already led them to the promised land - to get back to doing what he does best.