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Jalen Hurts isn't Russell Wilson despite report about Eagles QB

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) after the anthem against the San Francisco 49ers in an NFC Wild Card Round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Latest report about Eagles' Jalen Hurts leads to unfair Russell Wilson comparison

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Apr 1, 2026 6:53 PM ET

Is Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts' career following the same arc as former Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson?

In a story published Wednesday, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Tim McManus reported the relationship between the Eagles and Hurts grew more tense over the course of the 2025 season. The article shared the QB's personality traits that had "rubbed people the wrong way" had grown since Philadelphia's Super Bowl LIX win during the 2024 season. He also refused to adopt offensive changes that could improve the scheme.

"Said it during the season, but the path Hurts is going down is extremely similar to Russell Wilson's," wrote The Athletic's Ted Nguyen on X while reacting to the news.

The unflattering report isn't a great look for Hurts, who clearly must rebound after failing to lead the Eagles to another championship in 2025. Claiming he's on the same trajectory as Wilson, though, may be a stretch.

Said it during the season but the path that Hurts is going down is extremely similar to Russell Wilson’s https://t.co/FUNBNb4oBL
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) April 1, 2026

How Jalen Hurts, Russell Wilson differ

The Seahawks traded Wilson to the Denver Broncos in March 2022 after his relationship with the franchise soured. The 10-time Pro Bowl QB reportedly asked ownership to fire general manager John Schneider and former head coach Pete Carroll before being dealt to Denver. He later denied that report.

Wilson's career has since capsized. Over his past four seasons with the Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants, the QB has a 17-27 regular-season starting record and has posted a below-average 87.9 passer rating. The QB is now a free agent, who appears to be drawing no interest.

However, Hurts is at a different stage in his career than Wilson was before the ill-fated trade to the Broncos. The Eagles QB is younger than the ex-Seattle standout. Hurts turns 28 on Aug. 7. The Seahawks traded Wilson after his age-33 season.

Hurts hasn't suffered a major injury, either. Wilson broke his right finger during his final season with the Seahawks, which required surgery and forced him to miss three games. Seattle finished 7-10 and missed the playoffs.

Hurt's numbers last season weren't amazing, but they weren't horrible. The 2020 second-round pick tied for ninth in the NFL in touchdown passes (25), ranked 12th in passer rating (98.5) and 18th in yards per pass attempt (7.1) among 33 eligible QBs. Philadelphia went 11-6, repeating as NFC East champions.

Many of the Eagles' offensive woes fall on former offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, who Sean Mannion has since replaced. Patullo had never called plays before last season, and his inexperience showed. Compare the Eagles' numbers when Kellen Moore (now New Orleans Saints head coach) served as OC in 2024.

Season	Yards per game	Points per game
2024	367.2 YPG, No. 8 in NFL	27.2 PPG, No. 7 in NFL
2025	311.2 YPG, No. 24 in NFL	22.3 PPG, No. 19 in NFL

Like Patullo, Mannion is a first-time play-caller, but he spent two seasons as an offensive assistant for Green Bay Packers HC Matt LaFleur, a QB guru. Perhaps that experience will benefit Hurts.

Let's see how Hurts fares in the new system before comparing him to Wilson. Remember the QB won Super Bowl LIX MVP and finished second in 2022 league MVP voting. He can re-establish himself as one of the league's top passers if things click in 2026.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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