Jalen Hurts has been a prominent name in the NFL, and recently, he's been in the spotlight for his thoughts on former New York Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale. In a media availability session, Hurts faced five questions out of seven specifically about Martindale, showing just how significant the defensive strategist's influence has been on him.
Last season, the Philadelphia Eagles enjoyed a blistering 10-1 start before faltering, losing six of their final seven games. Their season ended in a disappointing wild card playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a defeat that left many questions unanswered for the team and its fans.
In his quest for improvement, Hurts has reached out to several defensive masterminds, including Martindale and the Eagles' current defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio. Hurts explained his rationale, sharing, "I was just trying to pick his brain, see what he saw in us, trying to get some tips on some things. I think it was more so for me trying to continue to pour into my cup in terms of knowledge, and I've had a lot of respect for what he's done."
It's not every day that a quarterback seeks advice from his rivals, but Hurts is focused on gaining all perspectives to elevate his game. "Sometimes I think people are only able to know what they understand. Sometimes people don't know what they don't know. But in that regard, I think where we are is you have reports and you have rumors and then you have reality. We're in reality right now," he reflected with thoughtful introspection.
As Hurts delves deeper into understanding defensive strategies, he aims to incorporate these insights to improve his leadership and playing prowess. "I've had conversations with [Martindale], seeing what certain techniques defensive backs are playing and what his intentions are behind each play, what's he trying to take away, where's he vulnerable at," Hurts elaborated. Such detailed analysis points to Hurts' commitment to becoming a more adaptable and insightful quarterback.
Additionally, Hurts has been engaging with Vic Fangio. The dialogues with Fangio are another testament to his dedication. "We've had a lot of success against him, and I think that was one we were trying to make a run, make a push, and I wanted to pour into my cup of knowledge, pick his brain, and get some things," Hurts mentioned.
Hurts acknowledged the challenging end of the season as a valuable learning period. "It was a developing time, it was a time of development for us, and that's something we learned from." This attitude underlines a growth mindset, not just for himself but for the entire Eagles squad. He consistently seeks to understand the broader perspective of the game, which he believes will translate into their journey moving forward.
The quarterback's respect for Martindale is evident, describing him as "a very respectable person, actually a great person, a great coach and has a great mentality on how he goes about his business." Such high praise underscores how much Hurts values wisdom and experience, irrespective of team affiliations.
Building on the conversations with defensive experts and digesting their insights, Hurts is determined to apply this accumulated knowledge. "All of that is an eventual tool for me in my development and understanding where the boys are so I can play better football," he commented. His drive for continuous improvement is clear and forms a central theme in his professional growth.
Hurts' commitment goes beyond personal development, as he places the team's progress at the heart of his endeavors. "This team is one of those teams that's going to do that, especially with the things that we've been able to experience," Hurts said, illustrating the high hopes and confidence he holds for the Eagles.
Jalen Hurts’ pursuit of knowledge and his willingness to learn from various sources sets a commendable example of a quarterback striving for excellence. As he continues to integrate these insights, both Hurts and the Eagles are poised to develop further in the seasons to come.