The Philadelphia Eagles captured the long-awaited second championship in franchise history last season by defeating the Kansas City Chiefs, thanks to a historic performance from the entire team, including quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Still, criticism about Hurts’ game and his lack of offensive dominance persisted. When asked about possibly changing his playing style, the quarterback was straightforward about how he views that criticism.
Why Won’t Jalen Hurts Change His Playing Style for Critics?
When a team wins the Super Bowl against the NFL’s current dynasty as dominantly as the Eagles did over the Chiefs, one might expect a period of calm in the following months, especially when the quarterback leading that performance played as well as Hurts did in that final.
However, criticism soon began to question Hurts’ impact on the victory, giving more credit to the Eagles’ star-studded roster than to the quarterback’s leadership. The label “system quarterback” was used to downplay Hurts’ role, and when asked whether he considered changing his playing style, he offered a different perspective.
Jalen Hurts on if he will “open up” his play-style more now that he’s won a SB: “No. I’ve went a very long time being told I gotta do it a certain type of way. That didn’t get me the win, when I did it how everyone told me to.. When you put so much energy into [personal]… pic.twitter.com/a5ssOOOQqS
— Eagles Nation (@PHLEaglesNation) July 23, 2025
“No. I’ve went a very long time being told I gotta do it a certain type of way,” Hurts said.
“That didn’t get me the win, when I did it how everyone told me to.. When you put so much energy into performance, you kinda lose sight of the main thing of winning.”
How Did Hurts’ Approach Lead Philadelphia to Victory?
Last season, Hurts’ passing numbers did dip, especially in total yards. He threw for just 2,903 yards and 18 touchdowns, but only five interceptions, 10 fewer than the year before. However, Hurts remained effective on the ground, rushing for 630 yards and 14 touchdowns.
The Eagles’ offense leaned more on running back Saquon Barkley than the passing game, but the results were positive. In the 15 regular-season games that Hurts played, he led the team to a 12-3 record, securing the No. 2 seed in the NFC and home-field advantage throughout the NFL playoffs.
“Since the loss in 2022, it’s been my main motivation to find ways to win, regardless of how it looks…,” Hurts said. “I just want to find ways to win, and that’s the mentality I want this team to have.”
Hurts is known for his strong mentality and rarely lets on-field adversity shake him. That mindset helped the Eagles adjust after a slow start last year and enter the playoffs as one of the Super Bowl favorites.
Jalen Hurts senses pressure and takes off!
📺: #SBLIX on FOX
📱: Tubi + NFL app pic.twitter.com/LC3MQeVLtt— NFL (@NFL) February 10, 2025
While his regular-season stats may not be elite, few quarterbacks have delivered in the Super Bowl like Hurts.
In two Super Bowl appearances, Hurts has 525 passing yards, three touchdowns, and just one interception, plus 142 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He earned MVP honors in Super Bowl LIX.
Hurts’ style might not be flashy or universally considered elite, but few quarterbacks elevate their game on the league’s biggest stage like Hurts.
