Jalen Hurts Ranked 4th Among NFC QBs: Can He Bounce Back in 2026?
The Philadelphia Eagles' offseason has been anything but quiet-coaching changes, questions along the offensive line, and the ever-watchful eye on star receiver A.J. Brown have dominated headlines.
But through all the noise, Jalen Hurts has remained mostly out of the spotlight. That is, until now.
Hurts made an appearance at the Pro Bowl Games, but behind the scenes, a report surfaced suggesting some Eagles players were frustrated with the front office for not holding their quarterback publicly accountable. Whether or not that’s a fair criticism, it’s clear the expectations for Hurts are sky-high-and so is the scrutiny.
On ESPN’s First Take, analyst Chris Canty weighed in with his top five quarterbacks in the NFC. Hurts landed at No. 4 on that list, and Canty didn’t mince words about what he wants to see from the Eagles’ signal-caller in 2026.
“All this dude has ever known is the playoffs since he became the full-time starter in Philly,” Canty said. “That said, Jalen Hurts has had too many halves when the passing offense didn’t show up in 2025.
Think back to the Rams game, the Bucs game, the second half against the Bills-even though they won. They’ve got to become more consistent.”
Canty also raised a valid concern about the shifting landscape around Hurts. Longtime offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland is gone, and with changes in the play-calling department, Hurts is entering 2026 with a very different support system. That kind of turnover can impact any quarterback, even one as talented and accomplished as Hurts.
A Mixed Bag in 2025
Statistically, Hurts didn’t have a disastrous season by any stretch. He completed 64.8% of his passes for 3,224 yards, 25 touchdowns, and just six interceptions.
He also added 421 rushing yards and eight scores on the ground over 16 games. Those are solid numbers-especially when you factor in the injuries and instability around him-but they don’t quite tell the full story.
There were stretches in 2025 where Hurts simply didn’t look like himself. Canty highlighted a few of those moments, and he wasn’t wrong.
The Rams and Bucs games were particularly rough, and even in a win over the Bills, Hurts struggled to find rhythm in the second half. Inconsistent offensive line play and a lack of cohesion with the play-caller didn’t help, but Hurts wasn’t immune to criticism either.
What Needs to Change?
There’s no doubt Hurts remains one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the league. He’s a Super Bowl MVP, a proven winner with nearly a 70% career win rate, and a leader in the locker room. But there’s also no denying that the Eagles offense left meat on the bone in 2025.
For Hurts to take the next step-and for the Eagles to return to championship form-there are a few areas that need attention:
- Downfield accuracy: Too often, the deep ball just wasn’t there last season. Whether it was timing, protection, or ball placement, the vertical passing game didn’t hit the way it needed to.
- Middle-of-the-field throws: Hurts has the arm strength and vision to work the middle, but it hasn’t been a consistent part of his arsenal.
That’s a space where elite quarterbacks thrive, and it’s an area ripe for growth.
- Rushing threat: One of Hurts’ most dangerous weapons is his ability to take off and make plays with his legs. But in 2025, that part of his game felt underutilized. Whether it was by design or caution due to injury risk, it’s a dimension the Eagles could use more of in 2026.
A New Chapter Ahead
With a new offense being installed and key changes on the coaching staff, 2026 feels like a reset for Hurts and the Eagles. The pieces are still there-if they can come together, Hurts has all the tools to reassert himself as a top-tier quarterback in the NFC and beyond.
He’s done it before. He’s led a team to the Super Bowl. And despite the bumps in 2025, he remains one of the league’s most respected and dangerous quarterbacks.
Now the question is: can he elevate his game again in a new-look offense, and lead the Eagles back to the top of the NFC?
Time will tell-but if history is any indication, betting against Jalen Hurts usually doesn’t end well.