Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts isn’t worried about reports that he is frustrating his teammates.
“I’m not surprised by anything. This is kind of the nature of the position,” Hurts, 27, told the media on Wednesday, November 19. “But I put my energy and my focus on trying to go out there and do my best and trying to learn, trying to build, trying to take in the things that I can to try and improve.”
Dianne Russini of The Athletic first reported on Saturday, November 15, that some of Hurts’ teammates were becoming frustrated by his approach this season, particularly against zone coverage. Players reportedly believe he has become hesitant in tight windows, leading to scrambles when there are receivers open downfield.
Eagles beat reporter Derrick Gunn added that some players think Hurts is playing “his game” rather than executing the gameplan the team discusses during the week.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts won’t be changing his phone background now that he won the Super Bowl. The Eagles lost the NFL championship in 2023 to the Kansas City Chiefs, prompting Hurts, 26, to change his wallpaper to a somber snapshot of him walking off the field surrounded by red-and-yellow confetti. The tables turned […]
Such reports are common when a team is struggling, but the Eagles are 8-2 on the season and sit atop the NFC East. But the gaudy record is despite an offense that ranks 25th out of 32 teams in total yards per game and 28th in passing yards per game.
“I guess I get a lot of attention when things are going well and when things are not going so well,” Hurts said. “I never run away from holding myself accountable, and I think that’s exactly what I’ve taken the approach of doing.”
He continued: “I take great pride in what we do on offense. I take great pride in how we go out there and play as a team and what our flow is. I think we’ve got work to do, and that obviously starts with me. That’s always my approach. That’s always me looking internally first in everything that we do and then in due time rising above.”
Head coach Nick Sirianni isn’t worried about the reports, either, as he tries to guide the Eagles to their second straight Super Bowl victory.
“I don’t necessarily believe everything that’s being written. I just don’t,” he told reporters during his media availability on Wednesday. “I just don’t fall into the trap of believing everything you see or read.”
The Athletic‘s report comes one month after wide receiver A.J. Brown raised eyebrows with a cryptic Instagram post that some fans read as frustration with his quarterback. After the Eagles defeated the Minnesota Vikings on October 19, Brown, 28, shared a photo of himself with the caption “Using me but not using me.” That came three weeks after another cryptic post following a win over the Buccaneers. After that game, Brown quoted a Bible verse, writing via X, “If you’re not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way.”
Brown has also publicly defended Hurts, shutting down questions over why the QB didn’t throw him the ball when he was open during a November 10 win over the Green Bay Packers.
“Certain plays have different reads, despite what it looks like when someone takes a screenshot, you can’t go off that,” he said, per Eagles beat writer E.J. Smith. “He has certain reads, he has a lot going on in his head that he’s trying to process and then he has the pressure in his face.”
The Eagles’ next game is on Sunday, November 23, on the road against the Dallas Cowboys.
