Jalen Hurts: Backup to NFL MVP?

Jalen Hurts is having an incredible year in the NFL.

His rise has been quick, but rather bumpy on the way, and his unique background has contributed to his success in the league so far. 

He was a highly recruited quarterback coming out of high school and was a starter for Alabama as a freshman in 2016, having led the Crimson Tide to the national championship game, where they lost to Clemson. Hurts continued to start for Alabama in 2017, but he was replaced by Tua Tagovailoa at halftime of the national championship game against Georgia. 

Tagovailoa led Alabama to a comeback victory, and he became the starter for the 2018 season. Hurts transferred to Oklahoma for the 2019 season, where he came second in the Heisman Trophy voting for the most outstanding player in college football.

In the 2020 NFL Draft, Hurts was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round with the 53rd overall pick. He served as the backup to Carson Wentz for most of the season, but he played well in limited action. Hurts became the Eagles’ starting quarterback in the final games of the season, and he led the team to a victory over the New Orleans Saints in the wild-card round of the playoffs.

This season he showed his doubters wrong and went above and beyond to MVP heights? Let’s have a dive into Hurts’ case for MVP.

MVP-like progression this season

With the Eagles excelling in 2022, Hurts has made a strong case for the NFL MVP award. His individual performances are one of the many things that has led to the team’s success this season.

Hurts has thrown for 3,472 yards (which ranks 12th in the league) and has 22 passing touchdowns (11th). He has also rushed for 747 yards (27th, but across all players) and has 13 rushing touchdowns, with only Jamaal Williams, Austin Ekeler and Derrick Henry scoring more.

These impressive statistics show Hurts’ ability to both throw and run the ball effectively, making him a dual threat that is difficult for defences to stop. He is also leading the league with the best touchdown-to-turnover ratio with 22 TD’s and five interceptions. This production is of experienced calibre, more impressive considering this is his third year as a pro. Hurts has massively improved in every aspect of his game.

This is the type of progression that not many could have predicted for Hurts considering the other QBs that were more highly rated, such as Trevor Lawrance and Tua Tagovailoa. Not to say that these players have not made these strides towards being elite players, Lawrence and Fields have shown amazing play this year that fully justified rebuilding rosters around as they continue to show off their skillset.

Hurts has been on a tear this season with the statistics above but that is all down to his work ethic and winning attitude, being on a roster that has star players like Brandon Graham who have won it all is certainly rubbing off on him. Hurts is surrounded by talent in every facet of the field from the offence and defence. 

Having A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith are one thing, but Hurts helped build a bond and trust that has helped his receivers succeed and proved why his leadership and work ethic is a key aspect of why we have seen such production out of him and his playmakers. 

Hurts is letting free, and the confidence he has created with wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, as well as Dallas Goedert in the tight end route tree, are among the best connections in the league.

These connections are especially noticeable on vertical throws. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Hurts has a completion percentage of 43.5% on tight window throws of 20 or more air yards this season, which ranks third in the NFL. 

Brown’s addition has undoubtedly been a game changer for Hurts as well. Hurts can look up his No. 1 on quick-game throws, middle-of-the-field in-breakers, or third-level passes to beat good coverage with Brown’s ability to play through contact and finish plays. Brown and Smith have both surpassed 1,000 yards receiving and scored at least seven touchdowns. 

These are the types of improvements and plays that MVP in the past have made. Patrick Mahomes with Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill, Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams, Tom Brady and Randy Moss. These are countless duos and trios that have shown the importance of the QB in a pursuit of a Super Bowl but a MVP award as well.

Best player on the team?

Many will tell you that the best player on the best team should win the most lucrative individual award, but then people like to see the stats and see who has been the most valuable to their team’s success. 

Hurts has led his team to a league best 13-3 record with the three losses coming against NFC East rivals Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints. During this amazing season for the Eagles whilst putting up crazy numbers, Hurts has also shown the ability to make clutch plays and come through in crucial moments for the Eagles. His performance against the Chicago Bears in Week 14 was a prime example of this, as he threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns in the Eagles’ comeback win.

This was a game that looked like it was for the Bears taking, then Hurts turned it on and went off to snatch victory from the abyss on Solider’s Field.

But over this season, it was a priority for the Bleeding Green to get more talent around Hurts so he could be maximised and he certainly has been. General manager Howie Roseman made it a point to do so and he has succeeded in doing so.

They have the best offensive line in the league backed by tackle Lane Johnson. Hurts is passing to two very explosive wide receivers in Brown and Smith, and he is backed up by one of the game’s most formidable defences. So Hurts isn’t completely without options when it comes to playing offence, which is why his numbers are high and this system under Nick Sirianni has worked for Hurts.

Is Hurts injuries hampering his MVP chances?

The simple answer is yes, Hurts who is doubtful for this week’s game against the New Orleans Saints will most likely miss his second consecutive game and his other MVP competitors will get a chance to push themselves further in the debate. We have seen Joe Burrow do this, it did not look like he would be considered for MVP but the oddsmakers have him near the top now.

Other players aside, Hurts not being available doesn’t necessarily impact the team’s success dramatically. They have a decent QB Gardner Minshew and an amazing defence and offensive line that can carry them to victory in these weeks. While he is out they will definitely suffer a bit in the run game but that will be expected.

What about the competitors for MVP?

DraftKings currently have Patrick Mahomes at -800, Joe Burrow at +750 and ahead of Hurts, who is tied with Josh Allen in their odds at +1000 respectively. Hurts faces competition from other standout performers such as Mahomes, Burrow, and Allen for the MVP award who each have their own case for winning MVP. Mahomes still proved he put in massive numbers without Hill, Burrow bringing the Bengals to 11-4 after an 0-2 start and Allen who has been the Bills best player and their best rusher.

The verdict?

Jalen Hurts has made a strong case for the NFL MVP award. His impressive statistics and clutch performances, combined with his improved mechanics and ability to lead his team to victory, make him a standout candidate. While he faces competition from other talented players, Hurts has proven himself to be a valuable asset to the Philadelphia Eagles and a player that can make a real difference on the field.

It remains to be seen if he will ultimately take home the MVP award, but one thing is certain: Jalen Hurts is a player to watch in the coming years as an MVP candidate, and his journey from Heisman Trophy runner-up to potential NFL MVP.