Jalen Hurts listed as dark-horse MVP candidate for 2021 season
Presumed starting QB Jalen Hurts has a chance to solidify himself as the face of the franchise in 2021. The Eagles moved on from Carson Wentz, drafted one of Hurts’ Alabama weapons in DeVonta Smith, and improved the backfield around him.
The team as a whole has lofty expectations next season, but Bleacher Report believes that Hurts can position himself amongst elite company in his first true year as a starter:
“Wentz has moved to Indianapolis, and this team belongs to second-year quarterback Jalen Hurts. The dual-threat former Alabama and Oklahoma star could make an MVP case because he potentially represents something fresh and unexpected.
The 22-year-old will have a better team around him in 2021. Offensive tackles Andre Dillard and Lane Johnson are expected to be back from a torn biceps and an ankle injury, respectively, and the Eagles used their first-round pick on former Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith.
It’s possible Hurts can make the sort of second-year leap we saw from Lamar Jackson during his MVP campaign.“
You can read Bleacher Report’s full list of dark-horse MVP candidates here.
In three full games as a starter, Hurts completed 55% of his passes for 847 yards, 5 TDs, and 2 INTs. Much was made about his ability to throw — or lack thereof — but Hurts had the 6th-most passing yards ever by a rookie in his first three starts:
- Cam Newton: 1,012
- Justin Herbert: 931
- Baker Mayfield: 875
- Vinny Testaverde: 871
- Dennis Shaw: 868
- Jalen Hurts: 847
The dual-threat QB also added 354 yards and 3 TDs on the ground last season. In his media appearance last week, Hurts stated that he knows he isn’t above competition with Joe Flacco in the mix and wants to learn from his mistakes.
It’s impossible to assess Hurts fairly in the limited sample size we got from him during a catastrophic season. What we do know is that the early intangibles with Hurts are encouraging. In an offense catered to his skillset under new head coach Nick Sirianni, Hurts will have ample opportunity to flourish next season and beyond.
>> Read More: Eagles have spoken to Atlanta about acquiring star WR Julio Jones
Even though he came up short, the poise at the end of the Arizona game is what impressed me most about Hurts.
— Victor Williams (@ThePhillyPod) February 19, 2021
Big plays on big downs. pic.twitter.com/VmU2l1CdAb
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Mandatory Credit: NBC Sports Philadelphia
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