Jalen Hurts Faces Pivotal Season as Eagles Seek Offensive Evolution in 2026
The Philadelphia Eagles fell short in their Super Bowl defense during the 2025 season, despite clinching the NFC East for the second straight year. Their playoff exit at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers highlighted a struggling offense, scoring only six points on their last seven drives in the postseason. Key statistics from the season reveal a stark decline: A.J. Brown caught just three passes for 25 yards in the playoff game. Jalen Hurts completed 20 of 35 passes for 168 yards, failing to connect on any deep throws. The Eagles averaged only 22.3 points per game, ranking 19th in the NFL, marking the worst offensive performance under head coach Nick Sirianni. Hurts’ individual stats were equally concerning, with a career-low 7.1 yards per attempt and a 64.8% completion rate. His struggles led to the firing of offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, adding to his history of having multiple play-callers throughout his career. Reports suggest Hurts has "rigid preferences" that hindered the offense's evolution. He resisted changes from the coaching staff, particularly in adopting under-center plays. The relationship between Hurts and his coaches has been described as tense, with frustrations evident among key players like A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith regarding the offense's inability to adapt. Looking ahead, the Eagles have appointed Sean Mannion as their new offensive coordinator. Mannion's system will require Hurts to embrace changes, including more motion and play-action, areas where he has previously shown discomfort. With the pressure mounting, Hurts must evolve his game to reclaim his status as one of the league's elite quarterbacks.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-04-01