Eagles OC on Jalen Hurts becoming an MVP candidate: 'We saw it in the spring'

The Philadelphia Eagles completed a trade with the New Orleans Saints in April that resulted in Philadelphia acquiring a 2023 first-round draft selection that some assumed could be used by the club to replace starting quarterback and 2020 second-round draft pick Jalen Hurts as soon as next spring.  

Hurts responded to such speculation by becoming a revelation and a legitimate early Most Valuable Player candidate through the first two weeks of the 2022 NFL season. While speaking with reporters on Thursday, Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen explained why he's not surprised Hurts reached a different level in victories over the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings. 

"He’s continuing to grow every single day, every game," Steichen said of Philadelphia's QB1, per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "We saw it in the spring. It carried over into training camp. And we’re in Week [Three] — he knows that — and he played well. And we’ve got to continue to play well individually, collectively, everybody — coaches included. We’ve got a lot of football ahead of us." 

The Eagles were routinely linked with star signal-caller Deshaun Watson from last fall through the winter months until he waived his no-trade clause to join the Cleveland Browns from the Houston Texans in March. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman then insisted after the April trade that people within the organization were "excited about Jalen Hurts" before Hurts apparently produced stunning results during springtime and training camp workouts. 

According to ESPN stats, Hurts is 10th in the entire NFL among eligible quarterbacks with a 97.1 passer rating and seventh with a 70.8 total QBR. The 24-year-old has completed 69.8% of his 63 passes for 576 yards with a touchdown and interception, and he's currently tied for the league lead with three rushing scores. He's also added 147 yards on 28 carries. 

Hurts will look to continue to silence doubters when he and the 2-0 Eagles play at the 1-1 Washington Commanders in an NFC East divisional showdown on Sunday.