Breaking News: Jalen Hurts Discusses Four Key Areas the Philadelphia Eagles Need to Improve
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has emerged as one of the most dynamic and promising players in the NFL. With his strong leadership, dual-threat ability, and ever-growing skill set, Hurts has quickly become the face of the Eagles’ franchise. However, as the team continues to pursue their ultimate goal of another Super Bowl championship, Hurts has been vocal about areas where the Eagles can improve. Recently, Hurts spoke out on four key areas he believes the team needs to focus on in order to continue building on their success and refine their performance as they push for a deeper playoff run.
1. Consistency in the Passing Game
One of the primary areas Hurts identified for improvement is consistency in the passing game. While Hurts has shown remarkable growth as a passer, there are still moments when the Eagles’ aerial attack struggles to find rhythm, particularly in high-pressure situations.
“We’ve had some really good games passing the ball,” Hurts said in a recent interview. “But there are moments when we just need to be more consistent. That means executing the fundamentals — footwork, timing, reading defenses, and knowing when to trust your guys to make a play.”
Hurts has been known for his ability to throw on the run and make explosive plays outside the pocket, but he emphasized the importance of developing a more consistent, efficient pocket presence. Last season, the Eagles boasted one of the league’s most potent offenses, but there were still games where Hurts struggled with accuracy and decision-making, especially against well-coached, disciplined defenses.
The Eagles’ offense has a plethora of weapons in the passing game, from the explosive A.J. Brown to the versatile DeVonta Smith, not to mention tight end Dallas Goedert. Hurts knows that to take the offense to the next level, the chemistry between him and his receivers has to be spot on. Whether it’s building rapport on timing routes, improving communication during no-huddle situations, or getting on the same page in crunch-time moments, Hurts believes this is an area where the Eagles can continue to grow.
2. Protecting the Football
Another critical area Hurts highlighted for improvement is ball security. Turnovers, as is the case with most teams, can have a devastating impact on the outcome of games. While Hurts has generally been solid in this department, he admits that there are times when taking unnecessary risks has led to interceptions or fumbles.
“Protecting the ball is always a priority,” Hurts explained. “As a quarterback, you’ve got to be smart with your decisions. There are times when I could’ve thrown the ball away, or maybe checked down instead of forcing something. I’ve got to continue to learn from those situations.”
While Hurts is known for his toughness and willingness to take risks, he’s also been criticized at times for holding onto the ball too long or forcing passes into tight windows when a safer play might have been available. In particular, his play under pressure has occasionally led to mistakes. Hurts knows that to keep drives alive and put the team in better field position, limiting turnovers is an essential component of success.
For the Eagles, keeping possession of the ball is especially critical given their explosive offense and stout defense. When the offense controls the clock and limits turnovers, it allows the defense to stay fresh and gives them a better chance to capitalize on opposing mistakes. Hurts emphasized that this focus on ball security will be key for the team in their quest for a championship.
3. Improving in the Red Zone
The Eagles have been one of the most efficient offenses in the NFL, but Hurts believes there is room for improvement when it comes to finishing drives in the red zone. While the team has had success at times in the red zone, Hurts noted that there were occasions in the 2023 season when the Eagles struggled to convert inside the 20-yard line, settling for field goals or turning the ball over.
“Red zone execution is a big thing for us,” Hurts said. “You can’t always expect to move the ball easily down the field, and when you get in the red zone, you’ve got to capitalize on those opportunities. We’ve got to do a better job of being more efficient when we’re down there.”
This is a crucial area for the Eagles, as scoring touchdowns instead of field goals can be the difference in close games. Whether it’s Hurts using his legs to power through for a short-yardage touchdown, finding a mismatch in the passing game, or using the team’s dominant offensive line to punch it in on the ground, Hurts believes the Eagles can get even more dangerous once they cross into the red zone.
Hurts is well aware that his dual-threat ability provides a unique advantage in the red zone. His strength as a runner, particularly on quarterback sneaks, gives the Eagles a valuable weapon near the goal line. However, Hurts acknowledged that the team must not become predictable or one-dimensional. The Eagles need to keep opposing defenses on their toes by mixing in different formations and taking advantage of all their offensive weapons.
4. Staying Disciplined on Defense
While Hurts is the leader of the offense, he also knows that the success of the Eagles is dependent on both sides of the ball. One area that Hurts believes the Eagles defense could improve upon is discipline — particularly in terms of penalties and maintaining gap integrity.
“The defense has been playing great football, but even they have areas to clean up,” Hurts said. “Sometimes, we see mental lapses or unnecessary penalties that give the opposing offense a new set of downs. We need to stay disciplined and focus on the details, like staying in our gaps and not giving up big plays because of missed assignments or penalties.”
The Eagles’ defense has long been known for its ability to generate pressure on the quarterback, thanks to their formidable pass rush. However, Hurts pointed out that the defense must continue to focus on staying disciplined against mobile quarterbacks and high-powered offenses. Giving up free yards due to penalties or allowing big plays to slip through can quickly turn the momentum of a game. The Eagles need to be sharp in these moments, keeping their composure even when things get tight.
As the Eagles continue to prepare for another Super Bowl run, Hurts’ leadership and attention to detail will undoubtedly be key in achieving those goals. By focusing on these four areas — consistency in the passing game, protecting the football, improving red zone efficiency, and maintaining defensive discipline — Hurts believes the Eagles will be well-positioned to remain one of the most dangerous teams in the league.
Ultimately, Hurts’ approach to these issues is grounded in his relentless drive for self-improvement and his commitment to making the Eagles a championship-caliber team year in and year out. If he and the team can take the necessary steps to improve in these areas, the Eagles could very well find themselves back in the Super Bowl in the near future, with Hurts at the helm.
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