Jalen Hurts, Eagles agree to record contract extension

Dec 18, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) scrambles left looking to throw in the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) scrambles left looking to throw in the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports /
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On Monday, the Philadelphia Eagles and quarterback Jalen Hurts agreed on a contract that makes him the highest paid player in NFL history.  A second round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Hurts is now the richest man in NFL history.

The contract extension is for five years and $255 million with $179.304 million guaranteed.  This comes after an MVP caliber season from Hurts that nearly led to the Eagles winning their second Super Bowl since 2017.

Hurts, 24, is  23-11 as a starter for the Eagles.  He’s thrown for 44 touchdowns, 19 interceptions, and has rushed for 1,898 yards and 26 touchdowns in his three year career thus far.  The one downside that potentially hurt the Eagles was Hurts not having a fifth year option since he was not a first round pick.

This likely made the Eagles act more urgently to get a deal done.

Among all QB contracts, Hurts’ total contract value ranks third in the NFL behind Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen.  The APY value ranks first in the NFL, ever so slightly above Aaron Rodgers.  Hurts’ AAV is $51 million per season.

The $179 million guaranteed ranks second in the NFL behind Deshaun Watson, who has a full guaranteed $230 million contract.  Overall, it’s an exceptional deal for Jalen Hurts as he becomes the richest man in NFL history.

Other winners of this deal are guys like Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, and Lamar Jackson, who should all receive extensions this offseason.  I’d argue that Joe Burrow is someone who is going to likely get more than Jalen Hurts got.

I don’t think Herbert and Jackson can get to $51 million a season.  Jackson’s contract situation has been a bit odd over the last two years and Justin Herbert has no playoff success, so it might be hard to argue that they can reach the numbers that Hurts did.

The Philadelphia Eagles now have their QB locked up for the long-term.