Jalen Hurts doesn’t have time to be satisfied.
After a great season in which he nearly led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl victory and earned him a record-breaking contract, Hurts is working like crazy to get even better.
Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles throws a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
«Everyone aspires to be the best and works to be the best, but in the end you have to find some separation,» Hurts said on the AP Pro Football Podcast. «And that’s the emotion. There’s emotion in not being satisfied and there’s emotion in being on this journey, and I’ve accepted that. I love this game and I know what my purpose is within this game. I really just want to be intentional.» … So every day I try to be the best I can be and that’s not based on external factors. Those things don’t matter. Just try to control what you can.»
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The 24-year-old quarterback selected in the second round of the 2020 draft emerged as one of the brightest young stars in the league in his second full season as a starter. Hurts passed for 3,701 yards with 22 touchdowns and rushed for 760 yards and 13 scores. He finished second in AP NFL MVP voting and third for the Offensive Player of the Year award.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) looks at the video board as he walks to the sideline late in the first quarter during an NFL regular season football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Detroit Lions on September 11, 2022 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Hurts was spectacular in the Super Bowl, throwing for 304 yards and a TD with 70 rushing yards and three touchdowns. But he also lost a fumble that was returned for a TD in a 38-35 loss to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
In April, the Eagles rewarded Hurts with a five-year, $255 million contract extension that was the richest in NFL history until Lamar Jackson surpassed it two weeks later.
Hurts also received a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma in a busy offseason that included his acting debut in a short film by Teyana Taylor. Last week, Hurts signed a multi-year deal with A Shoc drinks to promote Accelerator energy drinks, giving him an equity stake in the business.
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Despite a hectic schedule over the summer, Hurts made sure to stay focused on improving his game. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni and offensive coordinator Brian Johnson praise his work ethic.
«We will never put a limit on what you can accomplish,» Johnson said. «I think with Jalen, nothing he does will surprise me. He works like crazy. He’s very, very diligent. He’s very intentional about what he wants, and it shows on a daily basis in the way he operates.»
Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles fights to avoid the tackle attempt by Andrew Adams #47 of the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Lincoln Financial Field on December 4, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
The Eagles went 16-2 under Hurts last year, including 14-1 in the regular season. They lost two games that he missed with a shoulder injury. Some in Philly are concerned Hurts won’t be able to maintain his excellence because his running form makes him susceptible to injury.
Whether Hurts plans to stay in the pocket longer this season, he isn’t saying so.
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«I put a lot of work in. I put a ton into this and always have, and I just want to keep quantifying my work,» he said when asked about it. «That’s been something I’ve been able to do since I was in college. So that’s always my goal. Find those weaknesses and turn them into your strengths. And then if you have a strength, build on it and do it.» a stronger touch.»