Jalen Hurts and the Eagles’ Offensive Carousel: What’s Really Holding Philly’s QB Back?
Ask a group of NFL fans what they think of Jalen Hurts, and you’ll get answers that span the spectrum. Some will tell you he’s a top-five quarterback.
Others will say he’s overrated. And after the Eagles’ disappointing season ended with a thud, the debate around Hurts is louder than ever.
It’s a fair question: Is Hurts truly an elite quarterback navigating a chaotic situation, or is he simply not the guy some thought he was? The truth, as usual, is layered-and it starts with the revolving door of offensive coordinators in Philadelphia.
A Tale of Two Seasons
Let’s take a look at the last two years. In one, Hurts helped lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl title, playing within an offense that leaned on the ground game but still allowed him to make big throws when it counted. In the other, the offense sputtered, Hurts looked out of rhythm, and the team made an early playoff exit.
On the surface, the numbers tell a story of inconsistency. One year, he’s posting a career-best completion percentage.
The next, his air yards are up, but his efficiency is down, and his interception total spikes. That kind of volatility naturally raises questions about whether Hurts can sustain elite-level play.
But dig a little deeper, and there’s a major variable in the equation: coaching continuity-or in Hurts’ case, the lack of it.
A New Voice Every Year
With Kevin Patullo out the door, the Eagles are now searching for their sixth offensive coordinator in seven seasons with Hurts. That’s not a typo.
Going back to his college days, Hurts has worked under 10 different offensive coordinators in 11 years. That’s a staggering level of turnover for any quarterback, let alone one still trying to solidify his place among the league’s best.
Compare that to some of Hurts’ peers. Patrick Mahomes has had just two OCs in nine seasons.
Josh Allen has had three in eight years. Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson?
Two and three, respectively. Even Dak Prescott, often cited as a model of adaptability, has only had four in nine seasons.
That kind of coaching continuity matters. Quarterbacks thrive on rhythm, familiarity, and trust in the system.
When the system changes every year, so does everything else-terminology, play sequencing, footwork, reads, even how a quarterback is asked to line up under center. It’s like learning a new language every offseason.
The Steichen Effect
The closest Hurts came to true offensive stability was under Shane Steichen in 2021 and 2022. The first year wasn’t perfect-Hurts was still finding his footing-but in 2022, everything clicked.
He threw for 3,701 yards with a 66.5% completion rate, 22 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. He looked confident, decisive, and in command.
Then Steichen got hired by the Colts, and the Eagles had to pivot again.
Brian Johnson took over in 2023, and while Hurts posted a career-high in passing yards (3,858), his interception total jumped to 15. The offense looked disjointed, and fans took notice. Johnson was out after one year.
Enter Kellen Moore in 2024. Moore helped reshape the offense, leaning into Saquon Barkley and a more balanced attack.
Hurts’ raw numbers dipped, but he was efficient, accurate, and most importantly, he protected the football. The Eagles won the Super Bowl, and Moore was promptly hired away by the Saints.
Then came Patullo. And everything unraveled.
Not a Free Pass, But Context Matters
This isn’t to say Hurts is without flaws. There are areas of his game that still need refinement-processing speed, pocket awareness, and consistency in decision-making among them. But when you’re installing a new offense every year, it’s tough for any quarterback to reach their full potential.
The Eagles haven’t done Hurts many favors in that regard. For a franchise that committed to him as their quarterback of the future, they’ve struggled to provide the kind of stable environment that allows a player to grow into that role.
Now, the Eagles are at yet another crossroads. The next offensive coordinator hire won’t just shape the 2026 season-it could determine the long-term trajectory of Jalen Hurts’ career in Philadelphia.
If they get it right, and that coach sticks around, we might finally get to see what Hurts looks like with continuity and a system built around his strengths. If not, the cycle of inconsistency may continue-and so will the debate.