2x NFL Champion Sounds Off on Jalen Hurts Take

Even after a successful Super Bowl run, opinions remain divided on Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. As Hurts celebrates his first Super Bowl MVP, NFL media, fans, and former players have debated Hurts’ standing as a top quarterback in the game.

Recently, the former NFL MVP Cam Newton generated a ton of buzz around his take, as he claimed that Hurts was not a top 10 quarterback, in his opinion.

“It’s hard for me to grade Jalen Hurts with the talent that he has around him,” Newton said on ‘4th & 1 with Cam Newton.’

“Jalen Hurts is a great quarterback, but if we’re talking about what they bring to the table, it’s hard to judge what Jalen Hurts can do when you’re throwing to a guy like AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, you have tight end skillset, you have a dominant defense, the best running back in the game. Download Madden and see how many stars are on the offensive side of Philly. … Jalen Hurts does not have to play elite for the Philadelphia Eagles to win. He has to play good—but he doesn’t have to play elite. We’re not asking you to win the game, we’re just asking you not to lose it.”

Newton’s opinion on Hurts matches many of the Eagles passer’s top critics. Still, the former Panthers quarterback’s comments on the Eagles veteran haven’t sat right with everybody—especially the former Eagles wideout, Torrey Smith.

“Jalen is the only QB that gets punished because he has a competent GM,” the two-time NFL champion wrote on social media last week.

“Jalen does his job with what he has. Every other GM is trying to put their QB in the same situation as Jalen Hurts. Superhero ball is overrated. You can because HE is your QB!”

Hurts carries a lot of pure talent with him, but his history of leading his team to win football games has been his biggest strength. Yet, it’s also been used against him, since the Eagles’ front office has built one of the strongest rosters since the Hurts era kicked off.

AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith are Hurts’ top two weapons, and they are recognized as some of the best receivers in the game. Dallas Goedert has been one of the NFL’s most productive tight ends when healthy, and the Eagles have had a strong offensive line for many years at this point.

Last season, the Eagles added one of the best rushers in the game with Saquon Barkley. The veteran running back had one of the best seasons the league has ever seen. It all clicked for Hurts and the Eagles last year, as they defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.

Despite Hurts earning the game’s MVP award, he’s still fighting for respect as a top-five—and even top 10—quarterback in the game. While not every former player would side with the argument that Hurts is a top QB in the league, the former Eagle Torrey Smith is sold on the former second-rounder as an elite talent.

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