Last season in 2023, Jalen Hurts experienced a level of indecisiveness that he had not seen in his football career dating back to his college days at Alabama and Oklahoma. The statistics from that season clearly indicate this regression in his performance. In 2022, Hurts was extremely decisive both pre- and post-snap, finishing second in the entire NFL when it came to delivering the football to his first read at 73.5 percent. However, in 2023, his decisiveness dropped to a disappointing 61.1 percent, back down to 24th in the league, signaling a significant regression from the previous season. This was a 12.4% drop from 2022, where he was ranked #2 in the NFL at 73.5%.
The organization will be looking to understand why Hurts took a step back and what contributed to his regression. The casualties of Hurts’ regression were former offensive coordinator Brian Johnson and young QB coach Alex Tanney. Both found new opportunities in other teams, with Johnson being named assistant head coach/passing game coordinator on Dan Quinn’s new staff in Washington and Tanney becoming the passing game coordinator under Shane Steichen in Indianapolis.
One viewpoint on why Hurts regressed points to a disjointed offseason, where he was pulled in different directions due to contract negotiations and endorsements. The team hopes that new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and his hand-picked QB coach, Doug Nussmeier, will help prepare Hurts for everything he sees pre- and post-snap. The team also acknowledges that talented players such as A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert were not consistently taken away by defenses, but that different defensive looks may have created some doubt and hesitation in Hurts’ decision-making.
The statistical regression combined with the eye test indicates that there is some truth to the notion that Hurts was more indecisive in 2023 as compared to the previous season. As he transitions into his next season, the Eagles organization will be working to identify the causes of his regression and address them in order to support and develop Hurts further.
The numbers from FantasyPoints Beta via @PHLEaglesNation offer a statistical insight into Hurts’ performance. While statistics have a margin of error, they do align with the observations that Hurts was struggling with making quick and decisive decisions on the field. This is something that the Eagles’ leadership and coaching staff will need to address as they work with Hurts to improve his performance.
The expanse of Hurts’ regression will be the focal point of analysis and study as the Eagles endeavor to better understand the factors that contributed to last season’s performance. Factors such as coaching transitions, a disjointed offseason, and the pressure and responsibilities Hurts faced may have all played a role in his regression. As the Eagles move forward, they will be looking to address these factors and provide Hurts with the support and development he needs to excel as an NFL quarterback.
In conclusion, the decline in Jalen Hurts’ performance last season was evident both statistically and through observation. The Eagles are now focused on understanding what led to this regression and how they can work with Hurts to overcome these challenges. With new coaching staff and offseason preparation, the team is optimistic about helping Hurts find success in the upcoming season.
