We are getting closer to the start of Training Camp, which will be an interesting time for Jalen Hurts. He is a veteran QB, but will be learning a new offense. He’s had different coordinators throughout his career. This will be different, as this is a new scheme and a new OC.
There will be ups and downs this summer and into the fall. It can take QBs about half a season to really adjust to a new scheme so everyone needs to be patient with Hurts. It will be up to Sean Mannion to mix in what Hurts does well now with new ideas and plays. Throwing the deep ball should remain a strength.
We know one change will be more playing under center. This isn’t just done for optics. The numbers show that playing under center leads to more efficient passing. Check out the stats.
Hurts was under center some in 2025 so this isn’t completely new. He’ll just be doing more of it. Hopefully that will make the transition to the new offense a bit easier. I think the two biggest challenges will be working the middle of the field and spreading the ball around.
The addition of WR Makai Lemon should help Hurts over the middle. Lemon knows how to work the middle and is able to make plays. That’s his specialty and he knows it. This is a role he will embrace.
As for spreading the ball, part of that will be on the coaches to mix in different receivers and looks. I think it will help Hurts that he won’t have the pressure of feeling he’s got to get the ball to AJ Brown. Yes, you lose a great target, but spreading the ball can also put pressure on the defense since you should be less predictable.
***
Hurts came in at #56 on the list of Top 100 players.
We can argue whether he’s underrated, overrated or that’s about right. I don’t see that ranking as a big deal so it is what it is as far as I’m concerned. There is an interesting dynamic when it comes to Hurts and Nick Sirianni. I had never thought about it in these terms.
Sirianni and Hurts can’t both be overrated, right? How would the Eagles keep winning? I’m sure some will say that both are being somewhat carried by the defense, but that group has had multiple coordinators and players in the Sirianni/Hurts era. At the least, Hurts is a big game QB. He’s started 10 playoff games for the Eagles. The team has scored 28 or more points in 7 of the games. Hurts has a passer rating of over 100 in 6 of the games (11 TD passes, 3 INTs). He averages almost 5 yards per carry and has 10 rushing TDs in those games. By comparison, Dak Prescott has 7 playoff starts. Dallas had three games of 28 or more points. He’s thrown 14 TDs and 7 INTs. Hurts seems to be at his best when the lights are brightest. That should be hugely important when judging QBs.
One area where Hurts needs to improve is outside the pocket.
How last year’s quarterbacks performed in and out of the pocket:
One of his bad habits is bailing to the right and throwing the ball way out of bounds. That is fine on occasion, but Hurts does it too much. We know he can make plays outside the pocket. He’s got some big time highlight moments. There is a need for more consistency.
This is an important season for Hurts. He’s won a Super Bowl for the Eagles, but Howie Roseman can’t entirely focus on the past. He’s got to think about the future and how Hurts fits in that. If Jalen can adapt to the new scheme and coaches, he could sign an extension in the future and stay QB for the foreseeable future. It will be interesting to see how this year plays out.
*****
Good stuff here from Doug.
Philadelphia Eagles Hidden Gems: 3 underrated players on the 2026 roster
LT Jordan Mailata LG Landon Dickerson C Cam Jurgens RG Tyler Steen RT Lane Johnson
Unit Profile:Â Elite bookend-driven unit with rare tackle play, high-end left-side power, and enough center stability to offset the clear RG weak link.
Notes: The Eagles had a tumultuous 2025 season due to injuries to Landon Dickerson, who played through a preseason knee injury all year, and Lane Johnson, who missed the final eight games with a Lisfranc injury, along with schematic issues that contributed to the retirement of legendary OL coach Jeff Stoutland. This remains a star-studded line built around an elite tackle duo, including the best pass-protecting tackle in football in Johnson, whose timing, positioning, and one-on-one dominance still separate him from the field. Jordan Mailata remains a high-quality starter with rare run-game impact, while Cam Jurgens gives the unit a solid center with rebound potential if his health returns closer to the baseline. Dickerson is still an elite guard when healthy and, at minimum, a stout, powerful presence on the left side. That core gives Philadelphia enough top-end quality to mask the unit’s weak link, Tyler Steen, whose first full year as a starter showed serviceable run-game play but clear pass-protection limitations. With all five starters returning and a Shanahan-esque structure built on under-center play-action and the zone run game, the unit should have more built-in pass-protection help than ever before. The starting five is more fragile than in recent years due to wear and tear, but the talent remains among the league’s best. Markel Bell was drafted to compete with Fred Johnson at swing tackle, while Drew Kendall headlines the competition for the swing interior role.
Let’s talk about the players.
Mailata – One of the best LTs in the league. Tremendous size and length. Has good feet and is a natural athlete. Very good kick slide for a man of his size. Powerful blocker who can dominate in the run game. Can collapse DL when he down blocks. Good on the move and in space. Occasionally will struggle with short pass rushers who get under his pads.
Dickerson – At his best is a dominant run blocker. Has outstanding size and power which allows him to get movement in the run game. Key blocker on the Tush Push because of his ability to fire off the ball and create room. Solid pass protector as well. Locks down rushers if he’s able to get his hands on them cleanly. Some athletic DTs will give him problems.
Jurgens – Highly athletic interior OL. Has started at G and C. Still young, with only 41 career starts. Hasn’t come close to his peak. It took Jason Kelce several years to learn how to maximize his ability and Jurgens has a similar profile.
Excited to watch Cam Jurgens in the run game with another year of development pic.twitter.com/Lw67IDy1gd
Eagles C Cam Jurgens had his share of highlight reel run blocks against the Packers. He wasn’t perfect, but there’s a lot to work with. pic.twitter.com/NbAe1BeER5
Those clips show how athletic Jurgens is. You also see him with heavy hands, able to shock defenders and get them off balance. Like most guys his size, big powerful DTs can give him some issues. When he plays with good leverage, is able to hold his own.
Steen – Thorn is right that Steen is a better run blocker than pass protector. He’s at his best getting to the second level and taking on LBs. Good athlete. Uses his hands well. Can be good at point of attack when he uses his feet and gets good position. Isn’t going to physically overwhelm anyone and drive them far (like Dickerson can). While Steen doesn’t have special potential, he can get better as he hones his skills. Good OL involves technique as well as physical gifts. I think the new scheme will be a good fit for Steen.
L Johnson – Still the best RT in football. Great combination of skill, technique, size, strength and athleticism. Special player who is on his way to Canton. Age has showed some cracks in the armor, but few and far between. We’ll see if there is any drop-off in 2026.
Kendall – Has a chance to be top backup at C/G. Good athlete with solid size at 6-4, 308. Didn’t play much as a rookie, but started the season finale and showed good potential. He does a good job with snaps so he can play C or G. He is quick off the ball and plays with good leverage. Good feet. Moves well and can block on the move. Needs to do a better job of sustaining blocks and finishing blocks. Jimmy Bama has some clips of Kendall here.
F Johnson – Has 22 career starts. Can play LT or RT. Good size. Better pass blocker than run blocker. There are times when he looks really good. Other times he is too upright and will reach/lunge. This is when he will struggle. Needs to be more consistent with knee-bend and pad level. Good swing tackle, but not someone you ideally want as extended starter.
Bell – Massive rookie OT who could be RT of the future. Has better feet than many realize. Doesn’t just win with size. Didn’t give up a sack as Miami’s LT in 2025 and that was over 16 games, some against elite competition. Can block on the move. Played RT and LT in the spring. Will be interesting to see how he plays this summer. The Eagles are very high on him.
M Morris – Another rookie with promising potential. Has NFL size and athleticism.
During the team’s passion meeting ahead of Day 3 the 2026 NFL Draft, former Eagles assistant general manager Alec Halaby labeled Georgia OL Micah Morris as his passion player.
Georgia LG Micah Morris. I’d like to see him drop his pad level off the snap and lose about 10 pounds, but when he gets his hands on you with leverage, you’re toast. pic.twitter.com/sfnJOmKHwE
Morris needs to play with better technique and to be more consistent. But you can’t ignore the physical gifts. Definitely the kind of OL you want to try to develop because of his potential.
As great a coach as Stout is, it doesn’t sound like he was open to change. You need all the coaches on the same page and working together for the scheme to truly succeed.