In the NFL, it is imperative for any organization to have a quarterback who leads the franchise to success. Some teams have been fortunate to find a signal-caller who will take their team to new heights. After doing nothing but win since his first start for the Philadelphia Eagles, a Jalen Hurts extension is an absolute “must” for the franchise.
Why Is A Jalen Hurts Extension Necessary?
Being drafted in 2021, the former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback has proved to be one of the top players in the NFL. The guaranteed money on his contract lessens next offseason, so why are the Eagles essentially waiting to extend him? Hurts deserves a new deal?
The team’s General Manager, Howie Roseman, is a bright front office executive who is typically ahead of the market with contract extensions. He previously extended AJ Brown, Saquon Barkley, and Zack Baun, all before their market value increased. The most important position in the NFL is quarterback, so it makes no sense to hold back on Hurts.
Last week, the Kansas City Chiefs extended Patrick Mahomes again, which pushes the annual average of the contract to a whopping $64 million dollars. Hurts may not break the record set by Mahomes, but the former Super Bowl MVP will definitely exceed the $60 million per year average. Hurts has done nothing but win since entering the league, and he’s done it with a calm demeanor. He may not produce numbers like Joe Burrow or Lamar Jackson, but how many Super Bowls have those two won in the NFL? The answer is zero, and yet more criticism has been thrown at Hurts.
Media members who cover the NFL disrespect Hurts in their rankings, as if the man has never had any success. Chris Simms from NBC Sports has Malik Willis ranked higher than Hurts, and it’s incomprehensible. Ask a Cleveland Browns fan if they’d want Hurts under center for their team and see what they say. They’ve been a doormat since their return to the NFL back in 1999 because their quarterback position has been a black hole. In Cincinnati, Burrow looks like Joe Montana from the 1980’s, but he has a lower winning percentage than Hurts (.571 to .695)
The issue is that Hurts has struggled at times with incompetent offensive coordinators, and it is allowing the dark times to outshine the bright times. When he receives proper coaching, the team achieves tremendous success. So maybe the organization needs to focus on the coaching instead of not believing in their signal caller.
Hurts plays the toughest position, in the toughest league, in the toughest sports town in America. He’s played in two Super Bowls, winning one of them. If the Eagles were to let him walk, he’d have a new team before they could blink.
Waiting To Pay Can Hurt The Eagles
Hurts, Lamar Jackson, and Baker Mayfield are all seeking new contracts, and if the Ravens and Bucs sign their starters, who have been less successful than Hurts, it will be a bad look for the Eagles. Howie Roseman is normally ahead of the curve, but his hesitation to extend his franchise quarterback could cost the team time, money, and respect if Hurts has another great season without a new deal. Roseman needs to give the most successful Eagles quarterback in franchise history a brand-new contract.
