Cincinnati Bengals v Philadelphia Eagles - NFL Preseason 2025 Mitchell Leff/GettyImages

Jalen Hurts' clear statement on 'unknown' threat after Micah Parsons' Cowboys exit

Originally posted on Inside the Iggles | By Gourab Saha | Last updated Sep 1, 2025 6:00 PM ET

A brisk September wind rattles the flags above Lincoln Financial Field. In that swirl sits a threat—one Jalen Hurts won’t name yet. Eagles fans can taste the drumstick of a new season. But the gravy still hides a mystery bone.

The NFL season opener comes with a plethora of uncertainties. Anything can happen. But a familiar foe looks strangely different walking into the Linc.

Amid the hype, quarterback Hurts is navigating a different kind of blitz. The media buzzes about everything but football. However, Hurts issued a focused statement that cuts through the noise. His message is clear and deliberate.

When asked about facing a rival with a new coordinator and without Micah Parsons, Hurts acknowledged the uncertainty. He stated, "All those things come into consideration, but there's still so much unknown. So, you don't know." His solution was simple.

It was about trusting their practice and fundamentals. "Ultimately, got to trust the technique and trust the fundamentals that you've been practicing all summer and all camp to this point and just go out there and play clean football," Hurts added. This mindset is crucial for success.

The Eagles must play clean football from the first snap. Hurts' refusal to overlook the Cowboys speaks volumes about his leadership. He is treating this like any other tough matchup. And this sets a professional tone for a team eyeing a dynasty run.

Navigating the Unscouted Looks

Head Coach Nick Sirianni echoed this prepared mentality. He admitted Parsons was initially part of the game plan. But his focus quickly shifted to the players who will be on the field.

"We’re getting ready to play the Cowboys, so he’s in your thoughts for game planning, but they still have guys that we have to prepare for. They have Kenny Clark, who’s a really good player, and they have good depth at that defensive end group," Sirianni admitted. He emphasized preparing for Dallas's new pieces, like veteran Kenny Clark.

The Cowboys' defense will present new challenges. Their schemes are a mystery without recent tape. This requires immense discipline from Hurts and the offense. They must rely on their core techniques to adapt in real-time. Meanwhile, Hurts is buttering up no one.

He is simply respecting the game. His comment, “So, going out there and trying to prepare to play a really good team as is and focus on that,” reveals a man locked in on the task at hand. He is avoiding any bulletin-board material for a desperate team. This is the mark of a seasoned veteran.

The defending champs open at home under lights. The banner drops, the crowd howls, and an unknown Cowboys wrinkle waits. Hurts says embrace the mystery. As the Grateful Dead once sang, “Once in a while you get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right.”

This article first appeared on Inside the Iggles and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: