Jalen Hurts' growth and resilience were on full display during the Philadelphia Eagles' training camp finale. Despite a notable interception, the quarterback's performance painted an overwhelmingly positive picture, setting a promising tone for the upcoming season.
A Standout Camp
For the first 15 practices of the Eagles' camp, the defense struggled to intercept a pass from Hurts, underscoring his remarkable ball security and precision. This streak was finally broken on the last day when Darius Slay intercepted a pass from Hurts and dashed 30 yards downfield. Reflecting on the interception, Hurts acknowledged it was his lone turnover of the camp, showcasing his ability to maintain focus and composure.
Head coach Nick Sirianni couldn't contain his praise for Hurts' progression during the camp. “I just feel like he's had an outstanding, outstanding camp," Sirianni remarked. "I'm really excited about where he is, just in complete control of the offense, delivering accurate balls, protecting the football.”
Improved Physical Condition
Hurts acknowledged that he was in a better physical place compared to last season, where he dealt with several injuries. “I think I’m in a better place physically," Hurts noted. "Obviously, I had some nicks there throughout the year that I told you guys not to ask me about. But you deal with those things.” This improved physical condition is expected to enhance Hurts' performance as he heads into the new season.
Adapting to Offensive Changes
The offseason brought significant changes to the Eagles' offensive scheme, with new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore implementing a system where 95% of the offense was new. This required Hurts to navigate through a challenging minicamp period as he adapted to these changes. The quarterback's increased frequency in throwing across the middle of the field was a notable adjustment from the previous year, highlighting his adaptability and willingness to evolve.
Despite the challenges, Hurts' performance in training camp demonstrated successful assimilation of the new strategies. His dedication and hard work were evident, as Darius Slay observed, "The consistency. The way he prepares. The way that him, A.J., and all the guys communicate and try to get on time, I just see a different version of him this year."
Overcoming Turnovers
The 2023 season saw Hurts dealing with 20 turnovers, including 15 interceptions and five lost fumbles. Nevertheless, his ability to avoid interceptions throughout 15 straight practices until the final day of camp is indicative of his growth. Slay, who was the one to break Hurts' interception-free streak, humorously recounted, “He don’t like to talk to me when I pick him, but it’s okay, I’ll give him a hug and stuff.” Slay added, “Oh, I baited him. I know how to bait Hurts. I made him feel like he was gonna get a completion. I was like nah.”
Hurts himself took the interception in stride, demonstrating his maturity and resilient mindset. “I told him, ‘About time,’” Hurts said, acknowledging the competitive spirit shared with his teammate.
A Bright Outlook
As the Eagles wrap up their training camp, the overall sentiment around Hurts' performance remains exceedingly positive. Sirianni encapsulated the team's excitement, saying, “Just what an unbelievable camp he’s had. I'm really excited for his year.”
Slay shared a similar optimistic outlook for Hurts' future, hoping that the quarterback's camp form will translate into regular season success. “I'm hoping it turns into that when it's real," he expressed.
Should Hurts continue to display the same level of excellence and dedication he showed during camp, he is poised to become a pivotal player for the Eagles this season. His ability to assimilate new strategies, maintain ball security, and improve physical conditioning all point towards a breakout year for the young quarterback.