Jalen Hurts did what only Tom Brady has been able to do in 2024: beat Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl. The Philadelphia Eagles dominated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 59, and Hurts was named the game’s MVP.
Despite knocking off the current GOAT, Hurts is still not seen as a top-five quarterback by many fans and media members. One former Eagle praised his quarterback on a recent edition of “Up & Adams”.
Brandon Graham Says Jalen Hurts Is the No. 1 QB in the NFL
The Eagles selected Hurts in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. That draft saw Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert, and Jordan Love all picked in the first round, but Hurts is the only one with a Super Bowl victory.
He’s also the only one with multiple appearances in the big game, leading the Eagles to Super Bowl 57 in 2022. Hurts became Philadelphia’s full-time starter in 2021 and has made the playoffs each season.
The five-year veteran is the definition of a dual-threat quarterback. He’s never thrown for more than 3,858 yards in a season, but he’s rushed for over 600 each of his four years as the starter. This could be why some don’t believe he’s a top-tier quarterback.
Hurts is tied with Josh Allen for the NFL’s single-season quarterback rushing touchdown record with 15 in 2023. He added 14 last season and had 13 in 2022. Many have come via the “tush push”, but Hurts brings so much more than being an expert at the quarterback sneak.
Recently retired Philadelphia defensive end Brandon Graham went on “Up & Adams” to stick up for his former quarterback.
Jalen Hurts is the No. 1 QB in the NFL after beating the GOAT says Brandon Graham 👀
Do you agree?@heykayadams | @brandongraham55 | @Eagles pic.twitter.com/dAKCXBsLP1
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) April 9, 2025
Adams asked the two-time Super Bowl Champion if Hurts is a top-five NFL quarterback. Graham said, “Jalen Hurts, in my book, is a top-five quarterback. He won a Super Bowl. He automatically go up there. He won a Super Bowl. I don’t care who did what. All year, all playoffs, he the one who grabbed the ball first.
“He has to hand it off, his mechanics, all the little things that you don’t think about has to go right. How many times quarterbacks fumble the ball in big moments, and bam! It’s game over. Now you’re looking forward to next year because of a mistake that you got to live off of.”
“People don’t give him credit for those little things, but all that little stuff matter, and he practices that stuff every day.” Graham continued, “He’s my number one. I’m not playing for those other quarterbacks. All I know is him, and we won the championship. For this year, he gotta be number one. He won against the GOAT.
“Everybody got their opinions, but I feel like for us, he was the one that led us to the promised land. He got to be number one for this year. Especially going up against Mahomes.” Hurts’ regular-season passing numbers aren’t exceptional, but he’s outplayed Mahomes head-to-head in two Super Bowls.
He threw for 304 yards and a touchdown in the Super Bowl 57 loss, with Mahomes throwing for 182 yards and three scores. Hurts then threw for 221 yards and two touchdowns in Super Bowl 59, with Mahomes imploding in the first half. Hurts hasn’t gotten the respect he deserves, but he deserves to be in the top-five quarterback discussion.