Eagles OC talks playing style of Jalen Hurts after contract extension

Offensive coordinator Brian Johnson explained why the Philadelphia Eagles won't look to change Jalen Hurts' playing style even after the quarterback signed a massive deal this offseason. 

"We always take into consideration how much we’re putting him in harm’s way, specifically in the run game," Johnson said about Hurts during a news conference, as shared by Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "There are some things that naturally happen throughout the course of a game or throughout the course of a play where it becomes second-reaction football. But Jalen has always had a great feel for avoiding contact and being able to get himself down in certain situations." 

Per ESPN stats, Hurts led all quarterbacks for the 2022 regular season with 165 rushing attempts and finished fourth among players at the position with 760 yards on the ground. The 25-year-old was also tied for second among all players with 13 rushing touchdowns en route to emerging as a Most Valuable Player candidate. 

The Eagles rewarded Hurts for his efforts this spring by signing him to a five-year contract extension reportedly worth up to $255M with $179.3M guaranteed. Head coach Nick Sirianni declared in April the club didn't pay Hurts "more to do less" despite injury concerns that arise whenever quarterbacks leave the pocket and scramble, and the signal-caller later noted he is "embracing the uniqueness of my game" as it pertains to "making those throws and causing problems out on the ground as well." 

Everybody involved seems to be on the same page regarding what Hurts will and won't be for the 2023 Eagles.

"I think just as he continues to grow and develop as a player, it’s really important that he just uses everything he has in his toolbox to make sure that he’s playing as well as he can," Johnson added about his QB1. 

Hurts suffered a shoulder injury in Week 15 this past December that sidelined him for two games and apparently bothered him throughout the postseason. That issue didn't prevent him from nearly earning Super Bowl MVP honors against the Kansas City Chiefs in February, though, and it seemingly won't keep him from taking hits as a runner this fall.