Jalen Hurts has reached the pinnacle of NFL success, leading the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl victory and cementing his place in franchise history. Despite this, not everyone believes he belongs in the league’s elite quarterback tier. A former teammate recently voiced skepticism, suggesting that Hurts, while talented, is not at the same level as the NFL‘s top passers.
The critique comes as a surprise given Hurts‘ accomplishments. The Eagles quarterback delivered a standout performance in the Super Bowl, demonstrating poise under pressure and proving he can win on the sport’s biggest stage. Over the course of the season, Hurts showcased his dual-threat ability, throwing for over 4,000 yards while also being one of the league’s most dangerous rushing quarterbacks.
In the Super Bowl against the reigning back-to-back champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, Hurts put in a masterclass, eclipsing Patrick Mahomes in a devastating display in which his side won comfortably, whilst being the pre-match underdogs.
Slay questions Hurts’ elite status
Darius Slay, a former teammate of Hurts, has claimed that the quarterback is not in the top bracket of players.
“The elite goes to the top four guys. That’s how I do elites,” Slay said. “For me, elite in the quarterback world goes to Joe Burrow, [Patrick] Mahomes, Lamar [Jackson], and Josh Allen,” he said in a recent podcast.
Despite this, for most, his talent is not in doubt. His leadership has been widely praised, with coaches and teammates crediting his work ethic and mentality as key reasons for the Eagles’ championship run. The team’s dominant postseason performances, including a record-breaking 55-point showing in the NFC Championship Game, were largely fueled by Hurts’ command of the offense.
Still, critics argue that his success is a result of the Eagles‘ loaded roster rather than his individual brilliance. With an elite offensive line and star playmakers like A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, some believe Hurts benefits more from his surroundings than pure quarterbacking skill.
As Hurts enters the next phase of his career as a Super Bowl-winning quarterback, the debate over his status among the NFL’s elite will likely continue. However, with a championship ring now on his resume, Hurts has already proven he belongs in the conversation. His challenge moving forward will be to sustain his success and build upon an already impressive legacy.
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