If we want to point to one single relationship that’s been behind the success of the Philadelphia Eagles in recent year, it’s the bond between head coach Nick Sirianni and starting quarterback Jalen Hurts.
It’s been Sirianni’s unwavering faith in Hurt that’s seen the Eagles through 2 Super Bowl appearances in the last 3 seasons and brought them a win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, with Hurts walking away with Super Bowl MVP honors.
That’ why it should come as no surprise it was Sirianni who came quickly to Hurts’ defense and shot down any idea of benching his quarterback despite a 3-game losing streak and Hurts seemingly unable to consistently play his position at a competent level.
Hurts was at his absolute worst in a 22-19 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 14, where he had career highs of 5 turnovers and 4 interceptions — including 2 turnovers on a single play — and walked away with a 33.1 QB rating.
Had Hurts simply spiked the ball into the ground on every play, he would have had a 39.6 QB rating.
Sirianni has been the Eagles head coach since 2021 — the first year for Hurts as the full time starter.
“I think that’s ridiculous,” Sirianni said after being asked about the possibility of benching Hurts. “I know every time I go out in that field with Jalen Hurts as our quarterback, we have a chance to win the game.”
Most Famous Benching in College FB History
It wouldn’t be the first time Hurts has been benched on a team trying to win a championship — and the other time it happened it led to one of the greatest finishes in college football history.
Hurts led the University of Alabama to a national runner-up finish as a true freshman in 2016, losing to Clemson in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. He was named SEC Offensive Player of the Year and SEC Offensive Freshman of the Year and led the Crimson Tide back to the CFP National Championship Game for an all-SEC showdown against Georgia in 2017.
Trailing 13-0 at halftime, Alabama head coach Nick Saban made the shocking decision to bench Hurts for the second half in favor of heavy.true freshman Tua Tagovailoa.
Tagovailoa rallied Alabama to a 26-23 win in overtime, hitting current Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith for a 41-yard, walk-off touchdown. Hurts spent one season as Tagovailoa’s backup before transferring to Oklahoma, where he was Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year and an All-American in 2019.
Eagles Have Intriguing Option at QB Behind Hurts
The Eagles actually have one of the NFL’s best backup quarterbacks in 2023 sixth round pick Tanner McKee, who shined in extended action the final few games of the 2024 regular season with Hurts sidelined with a concussion.
While Hurts has come under fire, he’s not the only one who should be held accountable. Offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo seems to have no imagination when it comes to the offense and has been a massive step down from last year’s OC, Kellen Moore, who left to become head coach of the New Orlean Saints following the Super Bowl win.
“If we lost that Super Bowl, you’d start to see a lot of fans give Jalen the (Carson) Wentz treatment for McKee,” Eagles fan account That Hurts wrote on X after the loss to the Chargers. “Hard to blame them after last night but if you’re switching up like you probably did in 2023, please stay on that side this time.
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