ESPN analyst Kimberley A. Martin forcefully rejected the growing narrative that Jalen Hurts might lose his job as the Philadelphia Eagles’ starting quarterback. An explosive report from Jeremy Fowler and Tim McManus surfaced Wednesday, citing anonymous team sources who criticized Hurts for poor body language and a lack of coachability during a frustrating 2025 season. The ensuing public panic prompted Martin to defend the Super Bowl MVP.
Understanding the Debate Over Jalen Hurts’ Future With the Eagles
Martin correctly identified the root of the disconnect. She noted on “First Take” that Hurts is not a traditional pocket passer like Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, or Joe Burrow. The current tension in Philadelphia stems from the organization and the quarterback disagreeing on how to run the offense.
Hurts rushed for just 421 yards in 2025. That marked a steep drop after he topped 600 rushing yards in each of his previous four seasons.
He reportedly pushed back against diversifying the scheme, specifically resisting calls to operate more from under center. Some voices within the building want Hurts to expand the offense because the team relies too heavily on Saquon Barkley’s rushing ability.
The friction peaked during the final minute of the Wild Card loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Hurts suggested a “four verts” passing play that the 49ers easily defended, ending the season.
The resulting frustration spawned Wednesday’s report. One anonymous source claimed Hurts has too many “yes” people around him and needs coaches who will check him.
Martin viewed the reaction to these schematic growing pains as absurd. She pointed out that plenty of head coaches and general managers around the NFL would gladly trade for Philadelphia’s roster problems.
“Jalen [Hurts] has been a Super Bowl MVP. The fact that people are even looking at him and wondering, ‘Can he be the future quarterback here?’ to me is just maddening.”
—@ByKimberleyA on the frustration between Jalen Hurts and the Eagles 👀 pic.twitter.com/lpy6AAX2PZ
— First Take (@FirstTake) April 1, 2026
“The fact that people are even asking whether he can be the future quarterback in Philly is maddening to me,” Martin said. “I just don’t understand it.”
The offensive staleness has also impacted the locker room dynamics. The ESPN report noted that the relationship between Hurts and wide receiver A.J. Brown deteriorated last season.
Brown grew frustrated with his offensive role and the team’s overall lack of success. The two players were once best friends, but multiple sources indicated their communication diminished significantly as the year progressed.
Despite the internal tension, Martin argued that the public response does not match reality. She noted that Philadelphia operates on extremes, where fans either demand a new head coach or plan a championship parade.
“It feels like normal issues get completely overblown in Philadelphia,” Martin said.
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Martin emphasized that Hurts possesses an unmatched clutch gene and strong leadership qualities. The Eagles know they have a flawed offensive system right now.
They also know that trading away a proven winner over scheme disagreements is a rapid path to mediocrity. Philadelphia faces a play-calling problem, not a quarterback problem.
