Jalen Hurts reflects on Tom Brady & Peyton Manning's influence, QB hardships

This mindset is a direct product of his chaotic journey. He has endured twelve different play-callers in ten years. That constant change would break most players. Conversely, Hurts has treated each new voice as a masterclass.

Brady told him, “Don’t lose sight of that jersey. I had one stolen.” It wasn’t just a joke—it was a warning. A torch pass. Hurts, fresh off a Super Bowl MVP and 293 total yards against Mahomes, didn’t just hear it. He felt it. And now, he’s building the Eagles into something that looks less like a team and more like a system with a heartbeat.

Hurts has absorbed every lesson, turning chaos into a PhD in quarterbacking. His resilience is becoming his greatest weapon. Meanwhile, Peyton Manning isn't ranking QBs anymore.

Not after Hurts texted him last year: “I didn’t make your list?” That’s not insecurity—that’s fuel. Manning now says Hurts calls him with questions so specific they’d make a coordinator blush. “He calls me with very specific questions about certain plays. So, he’s a student of the game,” Manning told PFF.

“I don’t crack any jokes with him. I don’t test my material on him because I would imagine I would hear crickets,” Manning added. That’s the cerebral edge Hurts brings. Not just reps. Reflection.

The Philadelphia Evolution: From Star to System

The Eagles’ organization is now fully trusting his developed IQ. With Kevin Patullo promoted to offensive coordinator, continuity finally exists. He's been with Hurts since 2021. This familiarity allows Hurts to truly become the system, not just a player in it. He is poised for Brady-like autonomy over the offense.

Analyst Andrew Hawkins famously argued the easiest job was being Brady’s QB coach. His point? When the quarterback is the system, coaching becomes simple. Hawkins then declared, “That’s where we got to get Jalen Hurts to.” Early signs indicate Hurts is arriving at that exact destination. He is making the chaos around him irrelevant.

Hurts' legendary work ethic fuels this transition. Teammates and coaches consistently note his maniacal preparation. Head coach Nick Sirianni confirmed Hurts is “working out like crazy again, getting ready again in the classroom.”

This relentless pursuit of the one-percent improvement mirrors the paths of Brady and Manning. Their blueprints are his guide. And Hurts sees his entire path as a positive.

He told The Philadelphia Inquirer, “All those things [coaching experiences] have been positives for me because I’ve turned it into a positive.” This ability to alchemize adversity into advantage defines his career. His story is a testament to the power of perseverance. It brings to mind the words of author Haruki Murakami: “Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.” Hurts chose to never suffer. He chose to learn.