Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is facing a significant adjustment as he prepares for the upcoming NFL season. With the retirement of longtime center Jason Kelce, Hurts not only has to get used to a new player snapping the ball to him, but also must take on more responsibility when it comes to identifying pass rushers and making protection calls at the line of scrimmage.
Kelce’s presence on the field allowed Hurts to focus on his own tasks without being weighed down by the additional mental load. However, with Kelce no longer in the picture, Hurts recognizes that he will need to step up and take on a larger role in directing the Eagles offense. In a recent interview on WIP, Hurts expressed his eagerness to embrace the challenge of shouldering more responsibilities.
“I think it’s a different approach in some areas, in some facets,” Hurts explained. “I think Cam Jurgens has really done a really good job in just taking that role on and taking on the responsibilities of what comes with leading that group. I think in the end when you look at this upcoming season and what you have seen in years past, it’s just different autonomy in different places. We had a great player in Jason Kelce who took on a lot of responsibility and as a result of that I was told not to worry about a lot of things. And so my eagerness to learn over the years kind of was halted because of who we had, but now times are different and I’m excited for that journey and this opportunity.”
One area where Hurts will likely be tested is his ability to handle the blitz. Last season, opposing teams were able to exploit weaknesses in the Eagles’ offensive line and put pressure on Hurts. With Kelce no longer there to help make adjustments, it’s expected that defenses will look to capitalize on this vulnerability.
As Hurts prepares for the challenges that lie ahead, he is focused on honing his skills and building chemistry with his new teammates. While the departure of a key player like Kelce presents its own set of challenges, Hurts is ready to rise to the occasion and prove himself as a leader on the field. This upcoming season will be a test of Hurts’s ability to adapt and thrive in the face of adversity, but he is embracing the opportunity to showcase his growth and development as a quarterback in the NFL.
