A year after winning the Super Bowl, the Philadelphia Eagles and Jalen Hurts saw their title defense come to a premature end following a disappointing 23–19 Wild Card loss. While the Eagles’ defense largely held its own and the offense was serviceable for stretches, scrutiny has once again fallen on last season’s Super Bowl MVP.
Hurts faced persistent criticism throughout the season for his inability to consistently push the ball downfield, and that concern resurfaced on Sunday. Now, an Eagles legend, who claims to have inside knowledge of the situation, is suggesting Hurts isn’t merely struggling but actively limiting what the offense can do.
Eagles Legend Questions Jalen Hurts’ Ability To Elevate the Offense
Hurts’ passing performance has been under the microscope all season, as he failed to eclipse 200 passing yards in nine of his 16 regular-season games. Against San Francisco, he completed 20 of 35 passes for just 168 yards and a touchdown.
Perhaps most concerning was Hurts’ lack of downfield aggression. He did not complete a single pass that traveled more than 14 air yards during the game. By comparison, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy completed four passes of at least 16 air yards.
Former Eagles running back LeSean McCoy, a two-time Super Bowl champion, had previously claimed Hurts was the better quarterback than Purdy. When revisiting that comparison, McCoy changed his stance.
“I think Brock Purdy might be more consistent than Jalen Hurts,” McCoy said.
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While some point to the presence of Saquon Barkley as a reason for Philadelphia’s offensive limitations, McCoy dismissed that argument by referencing the Baltimore Ravens. Despite Derrick Henry averaging more than 19 carries per game last season, Lamar Jackson still produced the most efficient passing campaign of his career.
“Why our quarterback can’t do that?” McCoy asked. “Solid offensive line, great running back, really great wide receivers… we should have no flaws. So if you ask me who plays the quarterback position better, Brock Purdy.”
McCoy, who played the initial six years of his career in Philadelphia, went a step further, suggesting that Hurts’ limitations extend beyond game-day execution.
“I did a lot of digging, man. I know some people,” McCoy said. “And the problem is we can’t do different exotic looks, different formations, because I’m hearing he can’t really do it.”
“I look at the quarterbacks, and how in the world if we have all these special players…and we can’t move the ball, c’mon we got solid pockets, and I think about it and some times our quarterback, he’s too safe…I think if Brock Purdy had our weapons, we win this game by at least 10 points.”
Despite throwing two interceptions, Purdy delivered key throws when it mattered most, something Hurts failed to do. The Eagles’ inability to capitalize proved decisive in a tightly contested game.
“I gotta be honest,” McCoy concluded. “We gotta make some big decisions next year.”
Hurts may have earned Super Bowl MVP honors a year ago, but his passing limitations were evident even during that championship run. As the Eagles enter a critical offseason, difficult questions loom about the future direction of their offense and whether Hurts can truly take it to the next level.
