NFL
The Philadelphia Eagles have finally moved on from the Carson Wentz era after trading him to the Indianapolis Colts for draft picks. But what does that mean for the organization moving forward? For some, that means that the ball will be handed to second-year QB Jalen Hurts. But if you’re Hurts, is this something you really want?
Most Eagles’ fans were asking for this to happen in the middle of last season. While it took Doug Pederson till Week 13 to make the switch, it caused a rift in the locker room and the front office that may set the team back a few years winning-wise. But for Hurts, it’s something that he must take into consideration, seriously.
While it’s been different coaches over the years, the Eagles’ treatment of QB’s is one strange story. Let’s begin with Donavon McNabb and Michael Vick. McNabb was the starter but he asked for Vick to come to Philadelphia after his release from prison. McNabb believed Vick deserved another shot in the NFL and Andy Reid gave him just that. But then McNabb was traded and Vick took over.
But wait. It gets weirder from there. In 2012, the Philadelphia Eagles selected Nick Foles in the third round to be the backup to Vick. But then injuries happened and Vick was down, thus paving the way for Foles to get a shot. In 2013, Chip Kelly took over as coach and that’s when things got a bit murky.
This is one of those moments where Hurts must pay attention.
Kelly said there would be a QB competition heading into the 2013 season and there was. Vick beat out Foles but another injury to Vick opened the door to one of the best seasons ever for a QB. Foles passed for 27 touchdowns and two interceptions. The following season, Foles got hurt and the Eagles traded him to the Rams for Sam Bradford.
Bradford didn’t fare too well in Philly and that’s where Carson Wentz came into play. Wentz was to be the face of the franchise moving forward but injures derailed two of his best season. Then the magic happened. Wentz went down and in came the forgotten Nick Foles, again leading the Eagles to their first-ever Super Bowl win. Even then, fans were calling for a change at the position. Or at least a QB battle in training camp, but nothing happened. Wentz was their guy until otherwise.
Foles won a title then was let go. How do you let the guy who wins you a title just walk out the door as if it never happened? Well, they were sold on Wentz and paid him a huge sum of money to lead the franchise for the foreseeable future. (Take notes Jalen Hurts).
Fast forward to the 2020 NFL Draft and the writing was on the wall for Wentz and Hurts. The Eagles selected Hurts in the second round and from there, the relationship between Wentz and the Eagles soured. Wentz had every right to be mad. The same way Aaron Rodgers was when the Green Bay Packers selected Jordan Love in the same draft. If Wentz is your guy, then you do not select another QB that early in the draft, right?
What happened from there is well documented. But that brings me to the point of this article. As happy as Hurts and most fans are heading into the 2021-22 season, he must keep in mind that the Eagles have no real loyalty to the QB position. Heck, early indicators are already suggesting that the Eagles will bring in another QB for a competition this offseason. Well, that sure as heck doesn’t scream “we trust Jalen Hurts”.
Well, those are all true — he is next in line, he is the starting quarterback — but that does not preclude the Eagles from going out and seeking another quarterback to bring in, to challenge Jalen Hurts, to compete with Jalen Hurts,” Schefter said. “Again, I don’t think that they’re just going to hand this job to Jalen Hurts and say, ‘You are the guy.’
This is a business and Hurts is not cemented as the starting QB heading into the new season. Remember, the Eagles do own the 6th pick in the 2021 Draft and they can always select a new QB. But if they do that, what effect will that have on their relationship with Jalen Hurts?
Hurts has been through this before while at the University of Alabama but this is entirely different. You just can’t walk into the AD’s office and ask for a transfer to Oklahoma. This is the real deal here. What Hurts has to keep in mind is that the same way Wentz was driven out of town, the same can happen to him if he’s not careful. Karma is a bi***.
