After winning the Super Bowl in February and earning the game's MVP, the Philadelphia Eagles' decision to lock in quarterback Jalen Hurts to a long-term agreement in 2023 looks a lot better than some thought in 2024.
Two years ago, the Eagles were coming off a loss in the Super Bowl to the Kansas City Chiefs, but it showcased how great Hurts can be. That resulted in the franchise giving Hurts a five-year contract extension worth $255 million, with $180 million guaranteed. At the time, it was an NFL record, but 10 days later, that honor was taken away from the Baltimore Ravens quarterback, Lamar Jackson.
The deal didn't age well in 2023, when the Eagles' season fell apart after a 10-1 start, resulting in six losses in their last seven games and a defeat in the NFC Wild Card game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hurts was seen as a contributing factor to the losses due to poor decisions and turnovers late in games, which set the team back.
The turnaround in 2024 was magical for Hurts as he put himself back in the conversation as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. It also helped with how people view his contract, which is now looked at favorably.
Eagles got the deal of the century with Hurts' current contract
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy's massive contract extension inspired FOX NFL reporter Henry McKenna to examine recent quarterback extensions and determine which ones have been successful and which ones have not. McKenna looked at Hurts' deal as a discount for the Eagles as anyone with Hurts' recent success would be getting paid more.
"Things change fast. If you had asked me about four weeks into last season, I would have said this deal was an overpay. But here we are. Hurts has a Lombardi Trophy and a Super Bowl MVP. The QB has been to two Super Bowls in three years. There’s a chance this is the beginning of an Eagles dynasty.
Ask any team around the league if they’d pay their QB what the Eagles paid Hurts to finish the year with a Super Bowl MVP. Every single one would sign on."
Hurts was selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, a move that was polarizing at the time, given that Carson Wentz was the established starter. That decision by Eagles general manager Howie Roseman would pay off as Hurts has gone 46-20 as the starter of the team in the last five years.
In 77 games, Hurts has thrown for 14,667 yards and 85 touchdowns to 39 interceptions. He's also rushed for 3,133 yards and 42 touchdowns. The Eagles have made the postseason for four consecutive years with Hurts as the starting quarterback, resulting in two Super Bowl appearances and one win. Besides his Super Bowl MVP, Hurts has added two Pro Bowls and an AP second-team All-Pro selection to his resume.
Not many quarterbacks in the NFL have had the run that Hurts has had, and while he will receive his criticism that his running game carries him, remember that two of the best games of his career have come in the Super Bowl as he has thrown for 525 yards, rushed for another 142, and scored seven touchdowns in two games. Philadelphia is more successful offensively when the Eagles are running the football, but when the team needs their Superman, Hurts is ready to put on the cape and get the job done.
Hurts has four more years on his contract, and it might be a long way away, but at the pace he is going, the Eagles could be looking at another extension for him. Their timing of the last extension appears to be perfect now, as Eagles general manager Howie Roseman avoided a Dallas Cowboys situation where they waited too late and had to overpay to keep Dak Prescott.
The Eagles continue to show that they are clever with their money, and Roseman will be smart the next time Hurts is ready for his next contract in the next few years.
