Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Hurts Ranked Ninth Best Quarterback by NFL Insiders Despite Super Bowl Resume and Elite Skillset

The NFL is an unforgiving league. No matter how dazzling your highlight reel, how well you lead your team, or how often you prove doubters wrong, there will always be another round of scrutiny, another ranking, another debate. And for Philadelphia Eagles star quarterback Jalen Hurts, that cycle continues — this time, in the form of a newly released ESPN survey that polled NFL executives, coaches, and scouts.

The result? Hurts was ranked the ninth-best quarterback in the NFL.

That’s right — the same Jalen Hurts who led the Eagles to a Super Bowl appearance, the same Hurts who threw for over 3,800 yards last season, rushed for 15 touchdowns, and commanded one of the league’s most dynamic offenses — is being slotted below eight other quarterbacks by those inside the league. According to ESPN’s annual positional rankings survey, which canvassed opinions from more than 80 NFL personnel ranging from GMs to coordinators and talent evaluators, Hurts has fallen from the No. 3 spot in 2023 to No. 9 in 2024.

It’s a slide that has raised eyebrows, not only in Philadelphia but across the broader NFL landscape.

For Eagles fans, it feels like déjà vu. Hurts has been doubted at nearly every stage of his football career — from being benched at Alabama, to transferring to Oklahoma, to being a second-round draft pick when many believed he was better, to being labeled “a runner more than a thrower,” to critics claiming he wouldn’t last as an NFL starter. And yet, all he’s done is win, produce, and inspire a city that knows toughness and grit when it sees it.

So why, then, the dip in ranking?

Some insiders point to the Eagles’ late-season collapse in 2024. After a red-hot 10-1 start, Philadelphia sputtered down the stretch, losing five of its final six regular-season games before being eliminated in the playoffs. Hurts, while still solid statistically, appeared less sharp and more turnover-prone during that period. Whispers emerged about his decision-making, and the toll a second consecutive season of high-volume rushing may have taken on him physically.

“His physical tools are elite. He’s built like a tank and can run through defenders like a power back,” one NFL defensive coach told ESPN anonymously. “But when it comes to processing speed and anticipation throws, there’s still a gap between him and the elite guys.”

The “elite guys” referenced? Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert, Aaron Rodgers, Trevor Lawrence, and even Matthew Stafford — all ranked ahead of Hurts in the new survey.

Still, the criticism feels narrow in scope. Many of Hurts’ teammates and coaches argue that what he brings to the table transcends arm strength or schematic execution. It’s about leadership, presence, and resilience — attributes that don’t always show up on stat sheets but define franchise quarterbacks.

“Jalen’s the heart of this team,” Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said during OTA interviews. “He’s the first one in, the last one out, and the way he prepares is unmatched. There’s nobody I’d rather go to battle with.”

Hurts’ numbers support that sentiment. In 2022, he was an MVP finalist, accounting for 35 total touchdowns and just six interceptions. He followed that up with another stellar year in 2023, finishing with 23 passing touchdowns, 15 rushing scores, and over 4,400 total yards. And in the 2023 Super Bowl, despite a narrow loss to Mahomes and the Chiefs, Hurts was arguably the best player on the field, throwing for 304 yards and rushing for three touchdowns.

“He should’ve been Super Bowl MVP, win or lose,” former Eagles running back LeSean McCoy said on FS1. “He balled out. And that’s what you want from your QB when the lights are brightest.”

To Eagles fans, Hurts’ toughness and humility are what set him apart. He doesn’t seek the spotlight — he commands it through his actions. He’s not flashy on social media. He doesn’t call out doubters. He’s been methodical and focused, even amid criticism that might have unraveled lesser quarterbacks.

The debate over his ranking also reflects a broader philosophical question in today’s NFL: what defines greatness at the quarterback position? Is it pure arm talent? Is it Super Bowl rings? Is it the ability to execute complex passing schemes? Or is it something more intangible — leadership, poise, and the ability to elevate everyone around you?

Hurts, at just 26 years old, is already making a compelling case for the latter.

“He doesn’t get enough credit for how smart he is,” Eagles center Jason Kelce said in a recent podcast appearance. “People see the running and the strength, but this dude sees the game at such a high level. He’s processing blitzes, calling protections, changing plays — all in real time. He’s elite.”

It’s also worth noting that the Eagles’ offensive identity revolves around Hurts’ unique dual-threat ability. The “Tush Push” quarterback sneak became a cultural phenomenon, largely because of Hurts’ brute strength and elite short-yardage instincts. The team leaned on him not just to throw from the pocket, but to grind out tough yards when it mattered most.

And while his critics question whether that style can last long-term, there’s no denying its effectiveness. Since becoming the full-time starter, Hurts has led the Eagles to a 34-14 record in regular-season games. That win percentage is better than most of the quarterbacks ranked ahead of him.

Even those who ranked him lower in the ESPN poll acknowledged his upside.

“He’s a total warrior,” one NFC executive admitted. “I just think if he takes that next step with his consistency in the intermediate passing game, he’s going to be back in the top-five discussion.”

Of course, rankings in July don’t win games in December. Hurts knows that. His entire career has been a slow burn toward proving people wrong. And with a fresh season on the horizon, the fire is undoubtedly lit again.

The Eagles retooled this offseason, bolstering their defense and adding weapons around Hurts to take pressure off his shoulders. With a stacked offensive line, All-Pro receiver A.J. Brown, star wideout DeVonta Smith, and a renewed commitment to balance in the run game, the pieces are there for Hurts to rebound in 2025 — and silence the doubters once more.

In a league that constantly reevaluates its stars, Jalen Hurts remains one of the NFL’s most compelling figures. His journey — from second-round afterthought to Super Bowl-caliber quarterback — is already remarkable. But for Hurts, it seems, the mission is far from over.

So maybe ranking him ninth is the motivation he didn’t know he needed.

Because history suggests that every time the football world underestimates Jalen Hurts, he delivers his strongest answer on the field.