When ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler polled over 50 NFL executives, coaches, and scouts about the league’s top quarterbacks, one ranking sparked immediate controversy. Jalen Hurts landed at No. 9, behind quarterbacks like Jayden Daniels, Justin Herbert, and Matthew Stafford. For a quarterback who led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl victory in 2024-25, that placement didn’t sit well with everyone watching.
Why Is James Jones Defending Jalen Hurts So Fiercely?
Following the release of Fowler’s poll results, former Super Bowl champion James Jones didn’t hold back his criticism on FS1’s “The Facility.”
Jones’ biggest issue wasn’t just Hurts’ ninth-place ranking. It was seeing Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert ranked ahead of him at No. 7.
.@89JonesNTAF: Jalen Hurts’ No. 9 QB ranking is “awful:”
“There should never be a list where Herbert is in front of him.” pic.twitter.com/rOGWoFc3hG
— The Facility (@TheFacilityFS1) July 14, 2025
“That’s awful,” Jones said. “You can think whatever you want to think about Jalen Hurts, but there should never be a list where Justin Herbert is in front of Jalen Hurts.”
The former Green Bay Packers receiver made his case by pointing to postseason success. Jones finds it absurd that Hurts, who has reached two Super Bowls in his five NFL seasons, ranks below Herbert, who has never won a playoff game.
“Then you have Justin Herbert at seven, who’s never won a playoff game. [Hurts] has been to more Super Bowls than you’ve won playoff games,” Jones said.
What Do the Numbers Say About Hurts vs. Justin Herbert?
The debate between these two quarterbacks isn’t new. Both entered the NFL in the 2020 draft, with Hurts selected in the second round while Herbert went in the top 10.
According to PFSN’s QB+ Metric, Hurts grades out higher at 85.9 compared to Herbert’s 75.9 rating.
However, the passing statistics tell a different story. Herbert dominates through the air with 21,093 career passing yards and 137 touchdowns. Meanwhile, Hurts has thrown for 14,667 yards and 85 touchdowns.
Even accounting for Herbert starting 13 more games, Hurts’ career averages wouldn’t match Herbert’s aerial production.
But Hurts brings a different dimension to the position. The Eagles quarterback has rushed for just under 2,000 more yards than Herbert and scored 42 more rushing touchdowns.
Jones’ argument gains strength when examining win-loss records. Hurts maintains a career win percentage around 70%, while Herbert sits at 52%. Though Hurts has benefited from superior supporting casts throughout his career, the bottom line remains: he wins more games than Herbert.
The quarterback comparison ultimately comes down to what teams value most. Organizations seeking a pure passer with arm strength who can make every throw will choose Herbert. Teams wanting a versatile winner who may not excel as a traditional pocket passer will pick Hurts.
Both quarterbacks deserve recognition among the league’s top 10, but Jones’ insistence that Herbert should never rank above Hurts feels overstated given their different skill sets and team contexts.
