Jalen Hurts
Jalen Alexander Hurts (born August 7, 1998) is an American professional football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League. Since becoming the team's starting quarterback in 2021, Hurts has emerged as one of the league's premier dual-threat quarterbacks and led the Eagles to Super Bowl LVII.
College Career
[edit | edit source]Hurts played college football at Alabama (2016–2018) and Oklahoma (2019). At Alabama, he started as a true freshman and led the Crimson Tide to two College Football Playoff appearances, including the 2017 national championship game. After being benched in favor of Tua Tagovailoa, Hurts transferred to Oklahoma for his senior season, where he finished second in Heisman Trophy voting.[1]
NFL Career
[edit | edit source]Draft and Early Career
[edit | edit source]The Eagles selected Hurts in the second round (53rd overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft. He initially served as backup to Carson Wentz before taking over as the starting quarterback midway through the 2020 season.
Rise to Stardom
[edit | edit source]In 2022, Hurts led the Eagles to a 14-3 regular season record and their first Super Bowl appearance since 2017. His accomplishments that season included:
- 3,701 passing yards, 22 touchdowns
- 760 rushing yards, 13 rushing touchdowns (most by a QB in NFL history)
- 2022 Pro Bowl selection
- Second-Team All-Pro
- NFL passing touchdowns leader (tied) at one point
Super Bowl LVII
[edit | edit source]On February 12, 2023, Hurts led the Eagles to Super Bowl LVII against the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite a strong performance including a rushing touchdown, the Eagles fell 38-35 in a closely contested game.[2]
Contract Extension
[edit | edit source]In April 2023, Hurts signed a five-year, $255 million contract extension with $179.3 million guaranteed, making him one of the highest-paid players in NFL history at the time. The deal cemented his status as the Eagles' franchise quarterback.[3]
Playing Style
[edit | edit source]Hurts is known for his dual-threat abilities, combining strong pocket passing with elite rushing skills. His mental toughness, leadership qualities, and ability to perform in big moments have made him a respected figure both in the locker room and among Eagles fans.
His "tush push" quarterback sneak with the offensive line became one of the most effective plays in the NFL, leading to league-wide discussions about potential rule changes.
Philadelphia Connection
[edit | edit source]Since joining the Eagles, Hurts has become deeply involved with the Philadelphia community. He has been praised for his work ethic, humility, and commitment to team success over individual accolades. His calm demeanor and leadership have earned him respect throughout the organization.
See Also
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "Jalen Hurts finishes second in Heisman Trophy voting". ESPN. December 14, 2019
- ↑ "Super Bowl LVII: Chiefs vs Eagles". NFL.com. February 12, 2023
- ↑ "Eagles, Jalen Hurts agree to record contract extension". Philadelphia Eagles. April 17, 2023