Here We Go Again: NFL writer asked concerning Eagles question — This narrative better not return

Look, I don’t think Sports Illustrated writer Matt Verderame was asking a bad question in his Eagles preview. But I do think he’s helping push the same tired, lazy narrative we’ve already heard from WIP and the rest of the sorry talk radio circuit — the idea that there’s something wrong with the Eagles’ passing game because Jalen Hurts “only” threw for “x” amount of yards.

Like clockwork, it’s back.

Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One Before…

In his breakdown of the Eagles’ biggest training camp question, Verderame asked:

“Is there enough in the passing game?”

He followed it up by pointing out that Saquon Barkley ran wild in 2024 for over 2,000 yards, and that outside of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, there isn’t much proven depth in the receiving corps. He also noted Dallas Goedert’s steady decline and the fact that Hurts didn’t hit 3,000 passing yards (while conveniently leaving out that he missed two games).

Let me say this clearly: this is a fine question if you’re just trying to fill space in a season preview. But if you’re using it to throw shade at Jalen Hurts or create doubt around this offense?

You’re just not watching the games.

This is the same narrative people tried to push last season — “the passing game isn’t elite,” “Hurts doesn’t throw enough,” “they’re too reliant on the run.”

Jalen Hurts proceeded to absolutely annihilate the Commanders in the NFC Championship and then the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.

2024 NFC Championship vs. Commanders

• 20/28 passing, 246 yards, 1 TD
• 16 rushing yards, 3 rushing TDs
• Accounted for 4 total touchdowns in a dominant playoff win

Career Super Bowl Stats (2 games)

• 109.4 passer rating
• 525 passing yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
• Averaging 262.5 yards per game on the biggest stage
• Outplayed Mahomes in both Super Bowl’s

So when I hear people ask “can they pass enough?” I don’t get mad — I just laugh. Because here’s the truth: The Eagles win a lot. Jalen Hurts doesn’t turn the football over and he plays his best football in the biggest moments. What more do you want?

The Eagles identity

"You want us to run it? We can run it. You want us to pass it? How 'bout that passing game?!"
– Nick Sirianni@novacare | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/9KEn2z3nA1

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 16, 2024

Not every great quarterback is going to throw for 5,000 yards. Some guys beat you with their mind, their legs, and their leadership. That’s Jalen Hurts.

Is the passing volume gaudy? No. Does it need to be? Absolutely not.

The Eagles were a top-tier offense last year without needing to air it out every possession. Hurts manages the game, makes big-time throws when needed, and doesn’t cough up the football. He’s the type of quarterback that wins 13 games, keeps the locker room calm, and slices your defense apart in the playoffs.

Read More: Is Jalen Hurts the Greatest QB in Eagles history? One former NFL player thinks so >>

You want 400-yard games in November or rings in February?

Yes, the WR3 Spot Still Needs to Be Figured Out

Now, to be fair to Verderame — he’s not wrong to point out that WR3 was a problem last season and still kind of is. The Jahan Dotson experiment wasn’t as flashy as we expected in Year 1. I was excited about the move when they made it, and I still am, but let’s not sugarcoat it: Dotson didn’t even catch 20 balls until the postseason. That has to change.

And honestly, I expect it to improve. Dotson is far and away the best wide receiver they’ve had in this era.

The Eagles Don’t Need to Throw More — They Need to Keep Winning

I’m not saying the passing game doesn’t matter. But I am saying it’s a cheap talking point to act like the Eagles are somehow flawed because they didn’t throw for a million yards last year. They had a dominant run game, a top-five scoring offense, and a quarterback who was perfect for the offense.

This isn’t about style. It’s about results.

So, while WIP will make Jalen Hurts and his passing their main talking point all season, we continue to tell the truth here at TheLibertyLine.

Join The Chase