The Philadelphia Eagles found themselves in a challenging spot with Jalen Hurts at the helm in 2025, following their Super Bowl triumph the previous season. Despite clinching the NFC East, their journey ended prematurely with a wild-card round loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Many have pointed fingers at A.J. Brown's performance as a key factor in the offensive struggles, but NFL analyst Willie Colon offers a different perspective. Speaking on "First Things First," Colon suggests that the real issue might lie with Jalen Hurts.
"Behind the curtain, the Eagles realize it's not an A.J. Brown problem," Colon stated.
"They may have a Jalen Hurts problem. And that's the biggest issue when you invest heavily in a quarterback.
A.J. Brown hasn't been inconsistent."
Colon elaborates on Hurts' inability to elevate the offense, noting that Brown is eager to make a difference but isn't getting the opportunities he needs. "A.J.
Brown is like, 'Man, I'm here to be the difference maker. I'm not getting the ball.
I can't throw myself the ball.' It has to start with him," Colon explained.
The offense appeared stagnant and predictable, struggling to make plays on first or second down, according to Colon. While Brown's emotional presence has been noted, the focus needs to shift to whether Hurts truly enhances the team's performance.
Despite the criticism, Hurts' numbers from 2025 tell a story of a quarterback who contributed significantly. He completed 294 of 454 passes for 3,224 yards, 25 touchdowns, and six interceptions over 17 regular-season games, helping secure the NFC East title. On the ground, Hurts added 421 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 105 carries.
In the wild-card loss to the 49ers, Hurts completed 20 of 35 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown, along with 14 rushing yards on five carries.
Hurts' future with the Eagles is secured by a five-year, $255 million extension signed in 2023, which includes over $179 million in guaranteed money and a no-trade clause. The question remains: Can he rise to the challenge and lead the Eagles back to glory?