Eagles reporter reveals 'complicating factor' regarding Jalen Hurts rumors, uncertainty

Rumors suggesting that the Philadelphia Eagles could consider moving on from quarterback Jalen Hurts next offseason continue to hover over the club amid springtime workouts. 

For a mailbag published on Wednesday, Eagles reporter Zach Berman of The Athletic was asked what could happen if Hurts fails to reclaim his best form under first-year Philadelphia offensive coordinator Sean Mannion. 

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"The complicating factor is that he’ll be in line for another contract after this season," Berman wrote about Hurts. "And if there’s regression, then it’s a real question whether the Eagles would commit another massive contract coming off two seasons with a dropoff. But that conversation is premature at this point. Let’s see how Hurts looks this season, and if you want to use history as a guide, you should bet on Hurts responding to the challenge." 

Back in 2023, Hurts signed a five-year contract extension reportedly worth up to $255M with $179.3M guaranteed. He earned Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award honors for his performance in the club's championship victory in February 2025, but some analysts blamed him for the offensive struggles the Eagles endured from Week 1 of this past season through Philadelphia's 23-19 wild-card playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers. 

Against the Niners, the Eagles scored just six points via two field goals in the game's second half. Following that defeat, reports said that Hurts had been "the source of much internal frustration" within the Eagles and "had rubbed people the wrong way" since the team's Super Bowl victory.

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"Hurts has built equity," Berman continued. "He deserves respect — he’s a Super Bowl-winning quarterback who plays at his best on the biggest stage. He’s been a bona fide MVP candidate, and even in his down season, the Eagles won 11 games and hosted a playoff game. Plus, he’s shown going back to college that you should bet against him at your peril. Whenever he’s been in a supposed 'prove-it' situation, he’s proven it."

Earlier this spring, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie insisted that "there’s no bigger fan of Jalen than me." It's too early to say whether or not that will remain the case if Hurts fails to impress while running Mannion's offense. 

For what it's worth, Mannion said last week that Hurts has thus far "been awesome" amid the club's offseason program. If Hurts is awesome during games through at least January 2027, he could receive yet another big-money extension from Lurie next offseason.