Jalen Hurts Shock Admission: ‘I Never Realized How Special the Eagles Were Until I Left’

Jalen Hurts has always been measured with his words, but his latest admission has sent a ripple through the NFL community. In a rare moment of candor, the former Eagles quarterback confessed that it wasn’t until he stepped away from Philadelphia that he truly understood just how special the team — and the city — really were.

“Playing in Philly, you’re so locked in on the grind, the expectations, the pressure,” Hurts explained. “You don’t always take a step back to see what you have. It’s the fans, the locker room, the way everyone buys into the same mission… I didn’t realize how rare that was until I left.”

During his time with the Eagles, Hurts led the team to deep playoff runs, delivered countless clutch performances, and became the emotional leader of a roster built on resilience. His bond with teammates was forged through battles on and off the field, creating a brotherhood that’s hard to find in the modern NFL.

Since moving on, Hurts admits the contrast has been striking. The atmosphere in his new locker room lacks the same unified energy. The crowd support, while strong, doesn’t quite match the electric, all-in passion of Philadelphia fans. “In Philly, you felt that energy every snap — like the whole city was behind you, win or lose. That’s not something you can just recreate anywhere,” he said.

For Eagles fans, Hurts’ words are bittersweet — a reminder of the connection they once had with their star quarterback and proof that the culture they’ve built in Philadelphia leaves a lasting mark. No matter what jersey he wears now, it’s clear that a part of Jalen Hurts will always belong to the Eagles.