Jalen Hurts’ period of growth since last Super Bowl matchup

Hurts, who played Alabama and Oklahoma, was drafted in the second round (53rd overall) of the NFL draft in 2020. He’s in his fifth NFL season.

“Thinking about all of the games we’ve played since, then all of the moments we’ve had, all the opportunities we’ve had,” Hurts said. “Just being a more mature person. Growing. Better leader. All of these things that I’ve been able to push myself and push the threshold of my whole entire career.”

Hurts, who completed a career-high 68.7% of his passes this season, is just fine with being called a “running quarterback.”

“I was thinking about this,” Hurt said. “In anything that I do, I’m going to do it my way. So, that’s how I play the game.”

If Hurts has to run to blend with running back Saquon Barkley, he’s fine with that.

“I see the best fit for the mission of the group,” Hurts said. “Ultimately, what my priorities are, where I place them. Some things, are, what they are. So, just take it a day at a time. I lean on faith, and I lean on my work.”

Hurts is working with offensive coordinator Kellen Moore for the first season.

Former Eagles coach Doug Pederson was the play-caller in 2020, followed by Shane Steichen in 2021-22 and Brian Johnson in 2023.

‘He’s been another person that I’ve been able to take in and take a lot from,” Hurts said of Moore, who’s the Saints’ top head coaching candidate. “That’s always been my (modus operandi) just pursing this, gradual improvement over my career. I‘ve been fortunate to have a ton of different people to be involved in that.”

Hurts likely will have his fifth play-caller next season.

“Turning these situations into a positive and ultimately lead the team to success,” Hurts said.

The biggest difference for Hurts and the Eagles offense has been the addition of Barkley and the replacement of center Jason Kelce by Cam Jurgens, a second-round pick in 2022 out of Nebraska.

“He’s a great player,” Hurts said of Barkley. “Great player. Great talent. Great leader and great presence. He’s very passionate about the game. I think when you watch him play, you see that.”

With the addition of Barkley, the Eagles haven’t had to rely on the passing game as much. At times, that’s been difficult for wide receivers A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith.

Brown has taken to readying the book “Inner Excellence” by Jim Murphy on the sidelines to stay focused.

“I think everyone all year, I think the goal has always been to try and complement all of the talent that we have,” Hurts said. “Everyone has the ability to make a difference.”

Jurgens is the lead on the Eagles’ so-called “tush-push” play.

“You guys call it that,” Hurts said. “I call it the quarterback sneak.”

Jurgens has been key to keeping the continuity along the offensive line for Hurts.

“He’s done that with grace,” Hurts said. “He stepped in, eager to work, eager to take it over. He’s done just that being a Pro Bowler this year. So, that group is a special group. … So, very proud of those guys up front.”

Hurts’ NFL journey started in Norcross at Chip Smith’s Performance Systems during his predraft process.

Smith started training pro athletes more than three decades ago and has trained more than 1,600 NFL athletes, including Hurts, Brian Urlacher, Champ Bailey, and Jon and Matt Stinchcomb, to name a few.

After playing in the Senior Bowl and before the draft in 2020, Hurts worked out with Smith, who posted those workouts on Instagram.

Smith, who also trained former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, felt Hurts would be a star in the NFL.

“It’s just a mentality that’s ingrained in me, that’s just how I’ve always carried myself,” said Hurts of his work ethic. “I’ve always prided myself on learning from the highs and the lows because they all come with it. So, just taking everything with a grain of salt, being objective with the process and just taking every opportunity I can to grow.”