When it comes to Jalen Hurts, respect seems to come with strings attached. Despite leading the Philadelphia Eagles to two Super Bowl appearances, securing a win, and claiming the MVP trophy, Hurts often finds himself underappreciated. Even after being a constant contender for MVP honors and proving time and again that success follows him, recognition remains elusive.
The latest snub? Pro Football Focus (PFF) released its top 101 players from the 2025 NFL season, and Hurts was noticeably absent.
Is this another oversight in the ongoing saga of Hurts' recognition?
Four Eagles did make the list: linebacker Zack Baun (42), defensive backs Cooper DeJean (40) and Quinyon Mitchell (36), and offensive tackle Jordan Mailata (39).
As for quarterbacks, ten made the cut: Justin Herbert (99), Sam Darnold (93), Brock Purdy (81), Trevor Lawrence (72), Joe Burrow (57), Dak Prescott (45), Jordan Love (37), Drake Maye (25), Josh Allen (10), and Matthew Stafford (6).
Hurts' exclusion might not ignite a widespread debate. It's almost become an accepted narrative.
However, there's another angle to consider. Statistically, 2025 wasn't his finest season.
Injuries, offensive inconsistencies, and protection issues led to some rough patches.
The explosive dominance that characterized the Eagles' championship run wasn't always evident week after week. Metrics-based systems tend to penalize inconsistency, and Hurts had his share.
Yet, football's value isn't solely in isolated throws or win-loss records; it’s about the impact on teammates and those intangible qualities that stats can't capture.
PFF's analysis has its merits, and the eye test can explain Hurts' omission from their top ranks. But it raises a question: Are there truly 101 players better than Jalen Hurts right now? Maybe, but consider this-how many quarterbacks would trade their resume for his?
Hurts remains one of the league's most formidable dual-threat quarterbacks, a fierce competitor, and, crucially, a consistent winner. His leadership, resilience, and ability to elevate those around him shape Philadelphia's offensive identity in ways that numbers can't fully reflect.
History tells us something else, too.
Whenever Hurts has been doubted or underrated, he responds by leveling up. If this omission fuels his fire, the rest of the NFL might want to take notice. Betting against Jalen Hurts has rarely been a wise choice.