Concerns Mount Around Jalen Hurts and the Eagles' Offensive Future
The Philadelphia Eagles are facing more than just a disappointing end to their season-they’re staring down some uncomfortable questions about their franchise quarterback. Jalen Hurts, once the face of a team that stormed into the Super Bowl just a year ago, is now under the microscope. And the scrutiny isn’t just coming from fans or media-it’s coming from voices with deep NFL ties.
Earlier this month, Hall of Famer Kurt Warner and former Eagles defensive end Chris Long both raised doubts about Hurts’ long-term viability as a Super Bowl-caliber quarterback. Now, Marc Ross-an NFL analyst with front-office experience, including a stint as the Eagles’ college scouting director from 1996 to 2004-is adding his name to the chorus.
Ross didn’t mince words when asked about Hurts’ development and ceiling as a passer. “I don’t see Jalen any different than I’ve always seen him, back to when I scouted him,” Ross said.
“There was a reason why he lost the job at Alabama. There was a reason why he was a second-round pick.
There are reasons why he has had success. But his flaws aren’t going to change.”
That’s a bold statement, and one that cuts to the heart of the Eagles’ current identity crisis. Hurts has always been a dynamic dual-threat quarterback, but the issue now is whether his limitations in the passing game are capping the offense’s potential.
Ross elaborated, saying Hurts isn’t the type of quarterback who thrives in a high-volume passing attack. “He’s just not capable of doing certain things,” Ross continued. “He’s not a high-volume thrower, sit back in the pocket, scan the field real fast, find second, third reads and go for it.”
And the numbers back that up. According to ESPN, the Eagles finished the regular season 24th in total offense (311.2 yards per game) and 19th in scoring (22.3 points per game). Hurts himself ranked 24th in passing yards per game (201.5) and 22nd in adjusted QBR (55.3), per Pro Football Reference.
Much of the offensive blame this season fell on former offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, who was let go after the season. But as Ross points out, the struggles go deeper than play-calling.
“He is best at deliberate play-action, run the ball, get it out to my first read,” Ross said of Hurts. “That’s what he always will be.
He’s just not a quick read, quick process, bam, bam, bam.”
That’s a tough pill to swallow for a team built to contend now. When the Eagles' run game faltered this season, the offense sputtered-and Hurts, who thrives when defenses have to respect the run, looked out of sync.
But the concerns don’t stop at Xs and Os. There are whispers of deeper issues within the locker room.
A recent report indicated that Hurts has been a source of internal frustration, and not just from wide receiver A.J. Brown.
Questions have lingered about the dynamic between Hurts, Brown, and head coach Nick Sirianni for some time now.
Ross touched on that as well, suggesting that personality dynamics may have played a role in the Eagles’ recent struggles to land a top offensive coordinator candidate. “Another aspect is Jalen and some of the personalities,” Ross said.
“A.J.’s personality of people saying, ‘Okay, do I want to work with that? How much can I deal with that?’
And then Jalen being a strong personality.”
There’s no question Hurts is a confident, composed leader. But in a league where chemistry and communication are critical, even subtle tensions can affect a team’s ability to function at a high level.
And now, the speculation is starting to swirl. ESPN’s Adam Schefter hinted this week that the Eagles could be on the verge of a major shakeup. While nothing is confirmed, it’s the kind of comment that turns heads-especially with the new league year approaching in March.
Could the Eagles actually consider moving on from Hurts? That remains to be seen.
But what’s clear is that the organization is at a crossroads. With a roster built to win now, a fan base hungry for more than just playoff appearances, and a quarterback whose strengths and limitations are becoming increasingly defined, the pressure is on.
The Eagles have tough decisions to make. And if they believe Jalen Hurts has already peaked-or if internal friction is becoming too much to ignore-those decisions might come sooner than anyone expected.