How high can the Eagles fly this season? The question every Eagles fan and Jalen Hurts agnostic wants answered this year. There is no question about the leadership Jalen Hurts presents in the locker room. That has been noticed since his college days at Alabama and Oklahoma. But can Jalen Hurts lead this Eagles team to the promise land?
Year One For Hurts and Sirianni
The Eagles last year was an experimental year for Hurts starting as quarterback for the Eagles. Also, was brand new for first-year head coach Nick Sirianni. The first half of the season had Eagles fans boiling hot starting off the gates at 2-5. For a moment in time, plenty thought the Eagles were going to draft a QB in this year’s NFL Draft.
Luckily, with a flip of a switch the Eagles went from a pass-heavy offense to an old-fashioned ground and pound team. The Eagles went 7-3 the next 10 games and earned a Wild Card spot against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Wild Card game presented the biggest weakness for the Eagles, Jalen Hurts arm.
Hurts Passing History
If anyone watched Jalen Hurts at Alabama or Oklahoma, fans know he is a great athlete. In most of the games with the two universities, Jalen might have been the best player on the field. The tape Jalen Hurts doubters will present are the games against Clemson, Georgia, and LSU. Those opponents questioned Hurts becoming an NFL ready QB.
Even in the Wild Card game against the Buccaneers, you can tell the Bucs were daring Jalen to throw the ball deep. Jalen underperformed to his standards, but he does not let it affect the grind for him. You can say he has always had a chip on his shoulders, so expect him to work for it to become great.
Eagles Offseason
Fans around the NFL can see that the Eagles were aggressive making momentum for contention. Let us begin with the free agency additions:
- Haason Reddick
- A.J. Brown (Acquired from trade)
- James Bradberry
Not to mention the additions from this year’s draft class including Georgia’s DT Jordan Davis and LB Nakobe Dean. Philadelphia is in fact making a push to contend in the NFC East and NFC.
The addition of A.J. should give the Eagles a boost after ranking 8th-worst in passing yards per game. Even though the Eagles ranked 10th in defensive yards allowed the drive to become better on that side of the ball is scary. The offseason moves the Eagles have made are like the ones they made during their Super Bowl 52 run.
2022-2023 Eagles Preview
I find the Eagles in an excellent opportunity this year. The offense another year under Hurts and Sirianni should be more secure and dangerous with speed all around. The defensive line is simply the best position group for Philadelphia and will get after the opposing QB’s. Philadelphia will need to be 4-2 at worst in the NFC East and capitalize the first nine games of the season.
Jalen Hurts understands this season could be a make it or break year as the Eagles QB. Plenty would say that is an overreaction, but the front office is aware of the stacked 2023 QB Draft class. They are not scared to make a deal to grab their guy with the two first-round draft picks in 2023.
You ask me how high can the Eagles fly this season? I have no doubt if Philly can have a run like they end the 2nd half of last season, they can go 10-7 or 11-6. Jalen Hurts will secure his position at QB and sign an extension next offseason. Fly Eagles Fly!