Jalen Hurts is not shy about recognizing where he can improve.
The Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback is currently involved in a somewhat troubling locker room dynamic, particularly relating to receiver AJ Brown and others in the organization. Reflecting on a critical missed throw to DeVonta Smith during the second quarter of a 24-15 defeat against the Bears, Hurts took accountability. “It’s my fault. I thought you’d calm down,” he remarked to Smith during their sideline conversation, a moment aired on “Hard Knocks.”
In that exchange, Hurts seemed frustrated, saying, “Oh, damn it. That’s the play I have to make. You keep doing what you’re doing.”
Smith felt he could’ve scored a touchdown if he had received a better pass from Hurts.
As a result of the incomplete pass, the Eagles managed to score a 44-yard field goal by Jake Elliott, narrowing Chicago’s margin to 7-3.
Post-game, the Eagles’ offensive coordinator, Kevin Pattullo, faced backlash from disgruntled fans.
There seems to be a strong connection between Hurts and Smith, as they’ve since met to discuss how to improve communication to prevent similar situations in the future.
The newest “Hard Knocks” episode, which chronicles the Eagles, notably did not include any exchanges between Hurts and Brown.
Brown has been reportedly unhappy about his involvement on the offensive side, often voicing concerns about his lack of targets and even labeling the Eagles as a “sham” at one point.
Interestingly, he had a standout performance against the Bears with 10 receptions for 132 yards, along with two touchdowns.
While the latest episode touched on the team’s losses to both the Cowboys and the Bears, it didn’t delve deeply into the interpersonal conflicts within the Eagles.
These two recent defeats could significantly influence the Eagles’ chances of clinching the district title. Presently, Philadelphia holds a one-and-a-half game lead over the Cowboys in the NFC East, boasting an 8-4 record. Notably, Dallas has previously bounced back from a three-touchdown deficit to claim a 24-21 victory against the Eagles on November 23.
