With The First Pick
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Eagles: Is Jalen Hurts the future? Not so fast as 2021 NFL Draft nears

By Brandon Coyle

Dec 20, 2020; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2020; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Former Eagles QB Carson Wentz. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

A new era is starting in Philadelphia with the trade of Carson Wentz. After weeks of rumors and talks, the Eagles finally reached a deal with the Indianapolis Colts for a 2021 third round pick and 2022 conditional second round pick. An excellent package for the contract that the Colts will have to take on and the uncertainty of Wentz’s ability to be a starting quarterback.

The Eagles could make out like bandits if that second round pick becomes a first, with Wentz playing 70% of the snaps and the Colts making the playoffs. Eagles are a team that will go through a lot of roster turnover and need as many top-50 picks as possible. Now that Carson has left the building, the keys to the franchise turn over to Jalen Hurts and new head coach Nick Sirianni, or so it seems.

Is Jalen Hurts the future for Eagles?

Jalen Hurts seemed to give this team new life when he played in 2020, but it wasn’t all pretty. Coming out of college, Hurts projected as a high-end backup with the ability to win some games in spot starts, which he did in 2020. However, he didn’t exactly show the ability to become the franchise quarterback down the road.

Hurts was successful in 2020 due to his ability to run and make plays outside of the pocket, which is very valuable in today’s NFL. But, as a pure passer, Hurts struggled more than Wentz in the Eagles offense. Hurts ranked lowest in the league in expected completion percentage at 55.1 percent and had one of the lowest on target percentage at 60.7 percent.

In terms of accuracy, Carson ranked a lot better in comparison. Carson’s struggles came from his inability to pull the trigger on open receivers leading to many sacks and becoming too aggressive downfield by not taking open check downs. Hurts’ ability to scramble kept them in games and killed defenses, but his inability to throw from the pocket will keep him from being a starting caliber quarterback. Now, where do the Eagles go from here?

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