Ex-Eagles head coach Doug Pederson excited to see Jalen Hurts in Year 2

Doug Pederson isn’t leading the Philadelphia Eagles on the sidelines as their head coach anymore, but he is certainly going to keep a close eye on them in 2021 on beyond.

Back in Philadelphia for the Mike Quick Celebrity Invitational golf event, Pederson spoke with NBC Sports Philadelphia’s John Clark, where he admitted that he can’t wait to see what second-year quarterback Jalen Hurts can do with the Eagles.

“I’ve liked Jalen Hurts and I think now with the opportunity he has with the guys around him and getting DeVonta [Smith] and getting him in here and getting him working,” Pederson said. “I know that’s his buddy and just putting the pieces together. And that’s something they can build on. I’m excited for Jalen and what he can do and obviously the organization.”

Of course, Pederson’s replacement in Nick Sirianni has yet to name a starting quarterback for the 2021 season, but the team’s decision to draft the Heisman Trophy-winning receiver in Smith rather than a quarterback with the No. 10 pick of the draft suggests that the Eagles aren’t too committed to finding another passing option outside of Hurts.

The Eagles signed veteran Joe Flacco as a backup option earlier this offseason.

Pederson’s hope is that Smith can help build a viable group of wide receivers for Hurts to rely on, specifically alongside fellow second-year pass-catcher, Jalen Reagor. Limited by injuries, the TCU product appeared in 11 games, catching 31 passes for 396 yards and a touchdown.

“I don’t think [Reagor] got to show the best,” Pederson said. “I think the injury really set him back just a little bit last year as a rookie. He’ll come in healthy, he knows exactly how to attack the game, to attack the offseason, come in healthy, and be ready to go. I think it’s kind of a great 1-2 punch that they have and really looking forward to watching him.”