Eagles QB Jalen Hurts is playing like an MVP front-runner in 2022, but his draft selection two years ago will forever go down as a puzzling decision.

Then-franchise QB Carson Wentz had just carried a beaten-down Eagles team to the postseason, becoming the first player to pass for 4,000 yards without having a single WR over 500 yards in NFL history. Not to mention, Philadelphia handed Wentz a historic $128M extension the previous summer.

Fast forward to the following offseason, the Eagles had many holes on the roster that needed attention. They filled one of them (or so we thought) in the first round with WR Jalen Reagor. Then, with the No. 53 overall pick in the second round, Philadelphia selected QB Jalen Hurts out of Oklahoma.

You can search for the reactions on YouTube to get an idea of how Eagles fans felt at the moment.

We all know what happened next — Wentz sustained one of the most catastrophic declines we’ve ever seen at the position and was shipped to Indy the following year, leaving the starting job up for grabs. Hurts seized the opportunity and has now led Philadelphia to their first 8-0 start in franchise history.

The Eagles signal-caller recently appeared on the New Heights podcast hosted by teammate Jason Kelce and his brother, Cheifs All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce. During the episode, Jason Kelce asked Hurts about his draft-day reaction when he got the call from Philly, to which Hurts responded he “had no idea” they were even interested:

“When they called me, I got the 215 number. It was Howie [Roseman]; Howie gave me a call. You know, ironically, we played Pittsburgh this week. We played Minnesota; we played a lot of teams that — Vegas last year — like I thought I’d be at one of those places.

I know Pittsburgh had maybe the 48th pick or 40-something — their first pick was in the second round, and I thought I was going to Pittsburgh. So when I saw PA, I’m like, “oh, this is Pittsburgh.” But they just picked, so I didn’t know what to expect. It said the Philadelphia Eagles — I had no idea I would come here.”

Jalen Hurts in black and gold? Gross.

The Steelers ended up drafting WR Chase Claypool at No. 48 overall, who they just dealt to Chicago last week at the NFL trade deadline. Drafting Hurts didn’t make any sense at the time (and it was still a poor use of resources), but it has all worked out for the better.

Long live the QB Factory.

Is @JalenHurts flyin' to MVP? 🦅 pic.twitter.com/EAX6YifboB

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) November 3, 2022

Mandatory Credit: Getty Images