Jalen Hurts is still fighting to earn proper respect after dethroning Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl 59. The question “Is he an elite quarterback?” has been an ongoing conversation this offseason, and NFL legends Cam Newton and Terrell Owens recently threw in their two cents.
Terrell Owens Bashes Cam Newton After Former MVP’s Take on Eagles QB Jalen Hurts
Hurts didn’t have eye-popping stats in 2024, but he was excellent when his team needed him most. In 15 regular-season games, he led the Philadelphia Eagles to a 14-3 record while throwing for 2,903 yards, 18 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He also added 630 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground.
His stats aren’t spectacular because they don’t have to be spectacular, given the cast around Hurts. That doesn’t mean he’s not an elite quarterback; however, Newton doesn’t even have Hurts in his top 10.
Newton claimed that Hurts isn’t a top 10 quarterback on his “4th&1 with Cam Newton” show. He said, “It’s hard for me to grade Jalen Hurts with the talent he has around him.” The 2015 MVP continued, “Jalen Hurts does not have to play elite for the Philadelphia Eagles to win. He has to play good, but he doesn’t have to play elite.”
The former first overall pick further downgraded Hurts by discussing why Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and even Patrick Mahomes must play elite for their teams to win. This led to Owens, a former Eagle, to post a fiery response to Newton.
Owens responded to this with a long message, “You would be judging him if he had all of that and wasn’t playing well. This is a Skip Bayless-type statement with dreads!!! Don’t be mad at Jalen because he’s making great decisions, maybe had you made the decision to jump on that ball?! Just maybe?! Y’all will say anything not go viral. This isn’t it @cam!!”
.@terrellowens said to Cam Newton what we were all thinking last week. 🫡 TO pic.twitter.com/vemYv8relk
— PHLY Eagles (@PHLY_Eagles) July 21, 2025
Owens mentioned that the decision was Newton’s failure to jump on a ball he fumbled in Super Bowl 50. Newton led the 17-1 Carolina Panthers into Super Bowl 50 against the Denver Broncos. With Carolina trailing 16-10 late in the game, Newton was strip-sacked and hesitated to jump on the ball despite having a clear opportunity.
Denver scored on the ensuing possession to ice the game. Newton was unstoppable in 2015, throwing for 3,837 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions while adding 636 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns en route to the MVP. However, the missed fumble recovery is what people remember most from that season. This also got him the offensive player of the year award.
Ryan clark coming with 🔥🔥🔥🔥 this morning
“ The Ring that Jalen Hurts is walking around with, says top 10 to me.. TELL CAM TO SHOW YOU HIS ” #Eagles pic.twitter.com/4kN9U4Umtr
— びⓅ✯Ⓛ✯Ⓜ₃び (@MyAmbition_3) July 21, 2025
Hurts and the Eagles destroyed the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 59. He threw for 221 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception while adding 72 yards and a touchdown on the ground, yet Hurts still can’t get any respect.
Yes, the Eagles have a loaded offensive roster with Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and arguably the best offensive line in football. But Hurts is the one who makes everything happen.
Philadelphia made Super Bowl 57 after the 2022 season, but lost both regular-season games Hurts missed. After steamrolling the Dallas Cowboys without Hurts late last year, the Eagles struggled without him against the New York Giants in the regular-season finale. Hurts is the straw that stirs the drink, and should easily be in the top 10 QB discussion.
