Few, if any, NFL quarterbacks have accomplished more in the past 12 months than Jalen Hurts.
The Philadelphia Eagles star’s big year reached a crescendo in February when was crowned MVP of Super Bowl LIX, as outplayed Patrick Mahomes in a 40-22 beatdown of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Despite that, Hurts still came in only ninth in ESPN’s annual position rankings. The poll, which features input from NFL executives, coaches and scouts, was released Monday.
Mahomes, a two-time MVP, was No. 1 for the third consecutive season.
“The question isn’t whether Hurts belongs in the top 10 — he undoubtedly does,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote. “It’s whether he has the ability to vault into the top five eventually, as his Super Bowl pedigree would suggest he could.”
Hurts cut down on his turnovers last season, throwing just five interceptions compared to 15 the year before. He was at his best during the playoffs, completing 71.6% of his passes for five touchdowns and only one interception. He also ran for 194 yards and five touchdowns.
“He had a better year running the ball, and the way he played down the stretch when healthy was impressive,” an anonymous AFC executive told ESPN. “Better throwing the ball in general this year and cut out the turnovers.”
Altogether, Hurts threw for 2,903 yards and 18 touchdowns and ran for 14 scores, topping all quarterbacks.
Hurts enters this season with his sixth different offensive play-caller in six seasons. Despite that instability, he’s one of the surer bets in the NFL. The Eagles figure to be a favorite to repeat in 2026.
Former Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham praised Hurts’ makeup during a recent interview on PHILLY57 and CBS News Philadelphia, saying “He lock in, he really do lock in. And I got much respect for that behind closed doors, nobody would know because everybody don’t get to see that.”
Which Quarterbacks Ranked Ahead of Jalen Hurts?
Reigning MVP Josh Allen was second in the rankings, followed by Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Jayden Daniels, Matthew Stafford, Justin Herbert and Jared Goff.
Fowler noted that some who were skeptical of Hurts questioned whether he is the product of the system that Nick Sirianni has installed in Philadelphia.
“More than a few voters see shades of a Russell Wilson career arc,” Fowler wrote. “Hurts has many traits that contribute to winning at a high level but needs a steady running game around him and wouldn’t necessarily thrive in a pass-heavy system.”
