Since entering the national spotlight as the franchise quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles, Jalen Hurts might be undervalued by outside eyes.
When it comes to the All-Pro offensive lineman Lane Johnson, he has plenty of positives to say about the quarterback he’s been blocking for over the past five years.
What is it about Hurts that caught Johnson’s attention early on—and continues to later on in the young quarterback’s career?
“I think it’s his demeanor,” Johnson told Ryan Clark of ‘The Pivot‘ podcast.
“The city’s very rambunctious, very passionate. I think you need a guy who’s very even-keeled. Emotions don’t ever get high, even when we’re winning. We win a Super Bowl. We smiled a couple of times, but it was back to work. When you have a guy like that, when he first came in, you don’t know if it’s the role he’s playing, but that’s how he’s always been. For me, it allows guys to stay calm in pressure moments. Seeing a guy never get rattled.”
Hurts’ calm persona once left many wondering if his leadership was up to par for an NFL quarterback. Over time, it became clear that Hurts may just be one of the best motivators at the position. While he might struggle to be a critics favorite when it comes to the “elite quarterback” conversation, nobody can deny that Hurts isn’t a winner.
Many point to the loads of talent surrounding Hurts as a primary reason why he’s successful. Lane Johnson wants the world to know that Hurts carries a great work ethic with him.
“With Jalen, man, he’s always working,” Johnson added. “You go in there before practice, he’s got his own routine. It’s never wavered since he’s been a rookie. It only kept developing. Now, as he’s aging, he’s becoming more personable with the guys on the team. But he’s always been the same leader, same demeanor from day one. Just more evolved over the past couple of years. I respect how he works.”
Hurts has started 66 games in the NFL. Since earning starter reps in 2020 as a rookie, Hurts has achieved a record of 46-20 during the regular season. He’s thrown for 14,667 yards, 85 touchdowns, and just 39 interceptions. On the ground, Hurts has rushed for 3,133 yards and 55 touchdowns. He’s been to two Super Bowls and was recently crowned the MVP of Super Bowl LIX after the Eagles took down the Kansas City Chiefs.
Johnson has played with a handful of quarterbacks throughout his career. At this point, Hurts is by far the most successful one. No. 1 might have a hard time winning over the critics, but it’s clear that an eventual franchise legend for the Eagles sees the value in the two-time Pro Bowl passer.
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