Twelve weeks into the season, the Philadelphia Eagles stand alone at the top of the NFL with a record of 10-1. Much of that success, as is often the case, is due to the play of their quarterback, Jalen Hurts. Despite the team’s success and Hurt’s current status as the betting favorite to win league MVP, he still has his doubters, including a former Eagle turned NFL analyst.
Former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho made the transition to analyst back in 2016 and has moved up the media chain to his current position as the lead anchor of FS1’s “SPEAK,” alongside fellow former Eagle LeSean McCoy and notable host Joy Taylor. It was on a Wednesday afternoon segment that Acho singled out Hurts’ performance this season, saying:
“Jalen Hurts still doesn’t look the part… To me, as a defender, I’m watching the game both as an analyst, but I’m also watching it as a former football player, and I’m like, ‘Jalen Hurts doesn’t look that good,’ he just doesn’t.”
Acho’s question, seeing as it was followed up quickly by praise for Hurts and his five touchdowns against the Buffalo Bills this past Sunday, feels a bit uneven, especially since he declared Hurts his top choice on his MVP ballot that very same day. Effectively, he was asking the rest of the panel about their level of concern that, while the Eagles are winning, they are doing so with a quarterback who is performing in a manner that is anything but traditional.
Jalen Hurts is not a gunslinger like Brett Farve or Patrick Mahomes. He is also not a surgical passer like Drew Brees or Brock Purdy. He is Jalen Hurts, but if you ask either himself or the Philadelphia Eagles, that’s more than okay in their book.
Hurts not being a traditional quarterback, contrary to Acho’s take, does not equate to him looking bad. Take this past game against Buffalo, for instance. Did Hurts have a bad first half? Yes, even terrible by his standards. But it’s not how you start the game that matters; it’s how you finish it, and in that second half, Hurts was a revelation, throwing for 135 passing yards with a completion percentage of 73.3 and three passing touchdowns.
Then, there was his performance during the overtime period. Completing 3/5 for 32 passing yards while picking up another 27 yards on the ground and, of course, the game-winning rushing touchdown.
On top of the impressive statistics, these were not all simple dinks and dunks. Hurts added in his fair share of highlight reel-worthy plays. Game-altering plays that only elite QBs are capable of.
Neither Jalen Hurts’ journey nor Hurts himself have ever been traditional, but in large part, that is what has attributed to him being a special player. The athleticism and arm talent that he’s developed since coming into the league have certainly contributed to his current standing in the league, but at the center of his continued development have been his work ethic, competitive drive, and leadership ability. That much, though quite rare, is very traditional among not only some of the greatest quarterbacks of all time but also among great athletes.
While he’s not a finished product, no one truly is; Jalen Hurts deserves his flowers for how he’s helped carry this Eagles team to their dominant standing. Especially considering his clutch performances in recent weeks against the Kansas City Chiefs and, most recently, the Buffalo Bills. If he is able to pull off that level of magic against the San Francisco 49ers this Sunday, there will be no defense for those who refuse to count him among the NFL’s elite, even those who do so for engagement.
Want the latest NFL analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click here. Interested in reading storylines and analysis about the NBA? Check out our partner NBA Analysis Network.
