It’s been a disappointing closing stretch for the Philadelphia Eagles season, with most fans entering the season expecting a redemption tour for the reigning NFC Champions. But now, the struggles have come back to cost Jalen Hurts individually.
After a season that saw Hurts propel into stardom and look like one of the top young faces in the league, the Eagles signal-caller has gone from MVP runner-up a season ago to missing out on making the Pro Bowl this season, but was he deserving of the honor?
Let’s compare Hurts’ regular season stats from a year ago versus now …
2022-23: Team Record: 14-1
Passing- 3,701 yards, 246.7 yards per game, 66.5 completion percentage, 22 touchdowns, six interceptions
Rushing- 760 yards, 13 touchdowns, nine fumbles
2023-24: Team Record: 11-5
Passing- 3,803 yards, 237.7 yards per game, 66.1 completion percentage, 23 touchdowns, 14 interceptions
Rushing- 601 yards, 15 touchdowns, nine fumbles
Related: Should Eagles Roll Dice, Sit Hurts vs. Giants?
The obvious difference between then and now is that the team has suffered more losses with Hurts under the helm now, but overall, it appears as though he’s regressed across the board.
Despite arguably having a better pass-catching running back in D’Andre Swift and adding Julio Jones as the WR3 behind DeVonta Smith, Hurts has averaged fewer passing yards per game and thrown eight more interceptions this season.
Hurts’ struggles with protecting the football, paired with the defense regressing this season, have been a duo that has ultimately derailed the team’s success as a whole. But with that being said, he was still a Pro Bowl snub this season.
NFC quarterbacks selected over Hurts include San Francisco 49ers’ Brock Purdy and Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott, who have both beaten Philly this season. However, the third quarterback selected was Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, a signal-caller who has a worse record this season, lost to the Eagles in Week 5, and has accounted for 14 fewer touchdowns.
Has Hurts had an MVP season? No. Did he deserve to be a Pro Bowler? Yes. He has a good argument for being in over Stafford at least.
However, at the end of the day, none of it matters because the goal is a Super Bowl, and if he and Philadelphia’s defense can step up in the playoffs, they won’t be available for the Pro Bowl anyway.
After a disappointing closing stretch for the Philadelphia Eagles, fans and players alike are feeling disheartened as the season concludes. The Eagles, who were aiming for a redemption tour after being the reigning NFC Champions, have fallen short of expectations. This has, in turn, affected Jalen Hurts individually.
Hurts, who had a stellar season and looked like one of the top young faces in the league, went from being an MVP runner-up last season to missing out on making the Pro Bowl this season. The question remains: was he deserving of the honor?
Comparing Hurts’ regular season stats from the previous year to the current year, it’s clear that the team’s performance has suffered. In the 2022-23 season, the team had a record of 14-1, while in the 2023-24 season, the team’s record was 11-5. There has been a decline in Hurts’ passing yards per game, from 246.7 to 237.7, as well as an increase in interceptions from 6 to 14. Despite these numbers, Hurts still has a decent argument for being a Pro Bowler, especially when considering other quarterbacks selected over him.
NFC quarterbacks selected over Hurts include San Francisco 49ers’ Brock Purdy and Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott, whom the Eagles have lost to this season. However, the third quarterback selected was Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has a worse record this season, lost to the Eagles in Week 5, and has accounted for 14 fewer touchdowns. As such, Hurts’ case for being a Pro Bowler has merit.
Of course, the goal is the Super Bowl, and if Hurts and Philadelphia’s defense can step up in the playoffs, they won’t be available for the Pro Bowl anyway.
So, despite the disappointment of the season’s closing stretch, there are still positive aspects to reflect on. Hurts’ potential for growth as a player, alongside the team’s focus on a Super Bowl win, has the potential to propel them to future success.
