Although Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is receiving a lot of hate for his lack of talent as a pocket passer, he is less than a year removed from leading the team to a blowout Super Bowl victory.
The Eagles have lost two consecutive games to the Denver Broncos and New York Giants, so it’s easy to see why tension could be beginning to build amongst fans and potentially in the locker room. The offense is underperforming, and it’s obvious even to Eagles standout offensive lineman Lane Johnson that change is needed.
One Eagles analyst came up with a shocking idea on how Philadelphia’s offense can get back on track.
Would the Eagles Ever Consider Benching Jalen Hurts?
That question is not just a wild hypothetical but also a proposition from analyst Howard Eskin.
“I don’t think the best quarterback on this football team is starting right now,” Eskin began on JAKIB Sports. “I think Tanner McKee, right now, should be the starter. Everybody blames the offensive coordinator… you can only do so much when the player can’t execute those plays.”
Hurts has a 75.7 impact score from PFSN, which ranks him No. 19 among QBs, so it’s clear the offensive woes do not fall solely on his shoulders. It’s much tougher for Hurts to thrive and pick up steam through the air when the run game isn’t able to get going as well. Superstar running back Saquon Barkley has not rushed for more than 100 yards in a game this season.
Eskin continued, “You see so many guys that Jalen Hurts, for whatever reason—I don’t know what it is—is not picking up open receivers, he’s not going through his progressions, he’s not Baker Mayfield in that regard, he’s not [Matthew] Stafford in that regard, and he’s not Jared Goff in that regard. It’s not Howie [Roseman], and it’s not Nick [Sirianni], and it’s not the coaches.”
There’s not much to argue with here, as most would agree Mayfield, Stafford, and Goff are better passers than Hurts. What makes the latest of that bunch special is his ability to make electric and dominant plays with his legs.
“Now, is Tanner McKee as athletic? I watched Tanner McKee in camp. He’s got a great arm. He’s not as athletic, so he’s not going to do the RPOs, but Jalen’s not doing those now. He scrambles when he should be passing, but Tanner McKee can make the progressions. He’s a really sharp guy. Again, people are going to think I’m crazy right now, he’s a better quarterback than Jalen Hurts,” Eskin concluded.
Would the Eagles ever seriously consider benching their franchise signal caller in favor of McKee? The answer is almost certainly no, but the fact some are proposing it shows improvement is desperately needed.