Ex-Eagles cornerback Darius Slay does not consider Jalen Hurts an ‘elite’ quarterback, a viewpoint that invites debate. Following Hurts’ impressive performance in Super Bowl LIX, where he earned MVP honors in the Philadelphia Eagles’ 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, many fans are left wondering if he deserves a spot among the NFL’s top quarterbacks.
Slay, who is reportedly on his way out of Philadelphia, identified Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen as the true elite quarterbacks in the league. This raises the question: Is Slay’s assessment accurate for excluding Hurts from this elite group?
Chase Daniel, a former NFL quarterback, shared his thoughts on the matter during a recent episode of “The Facility.” He stated, “If you poll 32 NFL teams and their starters and their executives, they would likely agree that the four elite quarterbacks are Mahomes, Burrow, Allen, and Jackson.” Daniel emphasized that while Hurts has talent and recently won a Super Bowl, that alone does not qualify him as elite. He pointed out that history shows many non-elite quarterbacks have also won championships.
Daniel further explained that elite quarterbacks have the ability to carry their teams and win games primarily through their own skills. “Hurts has talent, but the Eagles’ success isn’t solely on his shoulders,” he argued. “An elite quarterback can take control of the game and lead his team to victory when it counts most.”
Critics of Hurts often cite the Eagles’ overall talent as a reason for his success. The Eagles have consistently ranked among the top ten most skilled teams in the NFL. For instance, running back Saquon Barkley set a combined NFL rushing record in 2024, amassing 2,504 yards. On defense, Philadelphia allowed the fewest total yards and second-fewest points in the league, showcasing their strength as a unit. Despite this, Hurts did not receive a Pro Bowl selection, which some see as a reflection of his standing among his peers.
In contrast, the quarterbacks Slay mentioned have impressive resumes. Burrow, a two-time AP Comeback Player of the Year, led the NFL with 4,918 passing yards and 43 touchdowns last season. Mahomes, a two-time NFL MVP and three-time Super Bowl MVP, has surpassed 5,000 passing yards in a season twice. Jackson, a two-time NFL MVP and three-time All-Pro, and Allen, the 2024 NFL MVP and three-time Pro Bowler, also have strong credentials.
Despite the skepticism, Hurts has proven to be an effective player for the Eagles. Over the past three seasons, he has averaged 3,487 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and a passer rating of 97.2, all while completing 66.7% of his passes. Additionally, he has rushed for an impressive 695 yards and 13 touchdowns per season, ranking second in Eagles history with 55 career rushing touchdowns.
Under Hurts’ leadership, the Eagles have achieved a regular-season record of 46-20 and a postseason record of 6-3, making two Super Bowl appearances in three years. This success raises an important question: Can Hurts continue to elevate his game to be considered among the elite, or will he remain on the outside looking in?
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Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts
National Football League
