Is Jalen Hurts ready to take the biggest step in his NFL career?

From the moment that Jalen Hurts was selected back in the 2020 Draft, everyone knew that the future would belong to Jalen regardless of what the Eagles’ front office told the media. Hurts drew comps as a lesser version of Lamar Jackson, but lesser is the keyword. It’s only now that he’s beginning to shed that skin and inherit all the pressures of a franchise QB, but is it too much?

Even now as he enters his third season in the NFL, Jalen has been a hot topic of discussion for everything that involves the Eagles. It’s become rapidly clear that the front office is willing to do all they can to give him the best chance of success. The team went ahead last season and drafted a top-tier WR for him in DeVonta Smith then went ahead and traded for his best friend this offseason in A.J. Brown. On top of that, there are the moves for guys like Landon Dickerson, who previously overlapped with the young QB.

Now more than ever, Hurts will have the cameras fixed upon on him. The city will continue to nitpick at his every move not only because of what’s expected out of the QB position, but what’s expected out of a player who has been given everything.

Jalen Hurts is entering what could be his final audition to be the starting quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles for years to come. The team has collected an extra first-round pick as an insurance policy just in case Hurts doesn’t take that next step this season. Whether Hurts likes it or not, the Eagles are in the business to win at all costs. 

Interestingly enough, Hurts is built for this moment. His mental toughness is too strong for any “rat poison” to seep through. His confidence and self-awareness are unmatched. His work ethic knows no limits but can his play on the field match all of his natural intangibles?

Jalen showed moments of greatness as he went toe-to-toe with Justin Herbert in hopes that the defense would hold up their end of the deal. He led the team to a 7-2 stretch to help them reach the playoffs. Unfortunately, he also showed growing pains along the way. He missed open receivers too often and was exposed by Todd Bowles’ defense in his playoff debut. 

Hurts has a ways to go to be the top guy in Philly but the Eagles should be more than patient as long as he takes the right steps in the right direction. You rarely see a player with such a strong mental and strong leadership at the QB position these days but Hurts could be the biggest draft steal if he delivers at a high level this season.

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