Nick Sirianni channeled the words of John Mellencamp: Hurts, so good.
There has been speculation as to whether Jalen Hurts will remain the Eagles’ starting quarterback come the 2022 season, but for now, Philly brass is aligned in how it views Hurts.
In January, general manager Howie Roseman offered Hurts a public vote of confidence; on Wednesday, Philadelphia’s head coach echoed those sentiments.
Sirianni explained why Hurts is going to be the starter this coming year:
Nick Sirianni talking about #eagles QB Jalen Hurts. pic.twitter.com/gYYVH6Setj
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) March 2, 2022
“He just continues to get better, whether that’s from Alabama to Oklahoma, or Oklahoma to his first year in the NFL, or first year to the second year,” Sirianni said at the NFL Combine. “We just know that progression is going to continue and it’s because of the person he is and that he loves football.
“The guy loves football and he’s just willing to do the things that he needs to do to get better and that’s why he does continue to get better.”
MORE: Projecting starting QBs for all 32 teams in 2022 — Will Hurts stay?
While the back half of Sirianni’s quote is the cliche stuff that can be said of 99 percent of players in the league, he also offered specific areas that Hurts is good at and can improve in.
Sirianni said Hurts has an “amazing ability to create” with his legs and his arm, but he needs to improve his accuracy and decision-making, things that young quarterbacks figure out with more reps.
Curiously, Sirianni said that Hurts’ arm is strong enough to make all the throws, something that was a knock on him coming out of college.
Hurts had a solid first full year as a starter in the league, though analysts note that the Eagles’ offense seemed particularly limited with him under center. In all, Hurts threw for 3,144 yards and 16 touchdowns to nine interceptions over 15 games, and he added another 10 touchdowns on the ground.
The Eagles made the NFC playoffs but were eliminated by the Buccaneers in the wild-card round.
While some rumors attach Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson to Philadelphia, it looks like the City of Brotherly Love is showing plenty of it to Hurts. At least, for now.