Talented quarterback Jalen Hurts had a mixed 2025 season for the Philadelphia Eagles as they lost in the Wild Card Round to the San Francisco 49ers. Ahead of a pivotal 2026 season, Hurts was ranked at No. 56 on the NFL Top 100 Players list, voted for by players across the league. The quarterback’s ranking represented his fourth consecutive appearance on the list, although he dropped from No. 19 last year.
John Middlekauff Puts Jalen Hurts in the Spotlight Ahead of 2026 Season
During a recent segment of the “3 & OUT with John Middlekauff,” former Eagles scout John Middlekauff was asked whether Hurts is “Russell Wilson 2.0.”
“I think Russell Wilson is a better player than Hurts,” Middlekauff said. “I think at this point in time in their careers, however many years in, I think Russell was pretty good. Jalen’s a better running quarterback than Wilson. And I’m not even talking stats… Like, Jalen’s running ability is like really, really good. Make guys miss. As a passer, I feel like Russell was a better passer. Both a little weird.”
“As the more money you get, you just kind of live in your own little La La land,” Middlekauff added. “I think the spotlight on Jalen Hurts this year is going to be, coming off just a horrendous year offensively, the A.J. Brown trade, which clearly, I mean, they’re sticking by him. The contract, it’s like, they’re not going to just love you forever. Howie (Roseman) has proven, he will just pivot off guys.”
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After being selected No. 53 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, Hurts carved a niche as one of the league’s most lethal dual-threat quarterbacks. Between 2021 and 2024, he registered four consecutive double-digit rushing touchdown seasons and still holds the record for the most such seasons in league history.
Last season, Hurts’ rushing game was limited, averaging 0.7 yards post-contact and 26.3 yards per game at a 50.5% success rate compared to 0.8 yards post-contact and 50.7 yards per game at a 59.4% success rate in 2022.
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Last season, Hurts earned a PFN QB Impact score of 76.2, ranking him at No. 16 in the league. He tallied 3,224 passing yards on 64.8% completion, 25 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions, while adding 421 rushing yards and 8 scores for the Eagles during the regular season.
Despite the drop-off in his production, the Eagles have backed Hurts. Wide receiver A.J. Brown’s trade to the New England Patriots cemented the quarterback as the alpha in Philadelphia.
While speaking to reporters over the weekend, Eagles’ first-year offensive coordinator Sean Mannion revealed that the team would utilize Hurts’ running game more next season.
“He’s very uniquely talented in terms of his athletic ability. It’s something he’s been effective with throughout his career,” Mannion said. “That’s part of what makes him such a special talent, but he does a lot of things well. I think he’s really operated through all facets of the offense comfortably, but the piece of him as an athlete in the running game is something unique. Those are elements we can lean into a little bit as well.”
Mannion was brought in to provide a new dimension to the Eagles’ offense, and with Brown now gone, it’s upto Hurts to play his best and secure his long-term future in Philadelphia.
