As the 2026 NFL offseason is in full swing, with the NFL combine currently underway, ESPN's NFL writers have begun untangling each NFL franchise's quarterback situation, including the Philadelphia Eagles.
While several NFL teams will be in a period of transition, ESPN's Seth Walder believes the Eagles will be staying put on quarterback Jalen Hurts for the 2026 season, but it does come with a "warning" moving forward.
"Hurts is just a year removed from being a Super Bowl MVP quarterback, but his stock has fallen after a poor 2025 season in which he ranked only 20th in QBR. If he doesn't improve in 2026, will we be putting him in a different category in this exercise next year? Given the Eagles' track record, I bet so."
A warning was delivered to Jalen Hurts
The five-plus seasons of Jalen Hurts have seen some of the highest highs and lowest lows, to put it bluntly. While Hurts has earned Pro Bowl honors, an All-Pro (second-team), and a Super Bowl MVP, he's also been a victim of several early exits in the playoffs that include underwhelming seasons.
While Hurts does have the 2024 Super Bowl victory to his name, with a new offensive coordinator in Sean Mannion and the possibility of head coach Nick Sirianni being on the hot seat, the pressure on Hurts to perform may lead to extremely high expectations in 2026.
Historically, the Eagles have moved on from quarterbacks who've had plenty of on-field success, even while they're in the middle of contract extensions. Philadelphia has moved on from Donovan McNabb and Carson Wentz, both of whom have years left on their contracts. Hurts has three years left on his deal, being owed $51.5 million each year until the end of 2028, his age-30 season.
Read more: Pro Football Focus comes to the rescue on recent Jalen Hurts slander
With expectations high, the Eagles are making coaching decisions to benefit their franchise quarterback; it appears Philadelphia is doing everything it can to help Hurts succeed. With 2026 leaning to a make-or-break year for Hurts, it's possible that an underwhelming season could lead to a new signal caller in the foreseeable future.
