Philadelphia Eagles in 2026: Mixed Signals Amidst Change

The Philadelphia Eagles might appear to be one of the top teams in the NFC on paper for 2026, but things feel a bit off. After an offseason filled with turmoil—trade rumors surrounding AJ Brown, loss of key pass rusher Jaelan Phillips in free agency, and the challenge of navigating a tight salary cap—critique is now being aimed at quarterback Jalen Hurts.

A source within the team mentioned, “His body language isn’t great, and he’s sometimes hard to understand. Many players see it.”

Much of ESPN’s reporting has centered around a pivotal moment from the 2025 season. During the Eagles’ playoff elimination game against the 49ers, fingers were pointed on the sidelines as no one wanted to accept responsibility for the loss. Some believe Hurts was the mastermind behind a questionable play call, while others argue that it was offensive coordinator Kevin Pattullo who mishandled the situation, noting that Hurts appeared unyielding when it came to altering the play.

“I thought, ‘Oh my god, this is not going to happen,'” recounted a team official. “You can’t run on four peaks.”

Hurts certainly possesses the tools to be an elite quarterback, yet when it comes to critiques of him, a couple of recurring issues arise. There’s a hesitation on his part to utilize his arm strength fully, along with a general reluctance to embrace change. When things unfold smoothly, Hurts thrives. However, he seems to falter in those rare moments when he needs to rally the Eagles in tight situations. With only 10 fourth-quarter comebacks and 13 game-winning drives over his six years in the league, his stats tell part of the story. While Philadelphia’s overall strength plays a role, it doesn’t negate instances where the offense has struggled to adapt mid-game.

Some are also concerned that Hurts brings a certain lack of order to the line of scrimmage, often making impromptu changes and failing to align with the coaching staff’s vision.

According to team officials, the offense recognizes that Hurts isn’t shy about changing plays he disagrees with, leaving teammates needing to adapt. “When Hurts is at the helm,” added another source, “you really can’t predict what’s going to come out of the huddle.” He’s been known to define routes that weren’t initially part of the coach’s strategy.

This creates an intriguing dilemma. Is Hurts a fierce competitor doing what’s necessary to win, or has this tendency morphed into overconfidence, as he takes on too much responsibility for play-calling? Would the Eagles be even more successful if Hurts allowed coaches to guide him more effectively?

We might start seeing clarity in these issues come 2026. The Eagles plan to transition away from Pattullo’s old-school methods and fully revamp their offense with new coordinator Sean Mannion. If the NFL season reveals a revamped offensive style, it could indicate progress for the team. Conversely, if the play remains unchanged from 2025, questions will arise about Hurts’ willingness to adapt. If that unfolds, it’s tough to predict what lies ahead for the Eagles.