The Eagles’ offense was hurting in 2025 — and Jalen Hurts had a lot to do with it.
Philadelphia’s Super Bowl-winning quarterback caught blame for the team’s regressive offense and some overall dysfunction in 2025, as relayed by sources to ESPN.
Philadelphia followed its Super Bowl 2025 triumph with a disappointing first-round exit this past season while the offense averaged its fewest points in Hurts’ five seasons as a starter, leading to offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo’s exit and a potential trade of disgruntled veteran receiver A.J. Brown.
“He has pushed back on changes that would diversify the scheme, sources said, including when it comes to him going under center more. He has shown a reluctance to let it rip at times, particularly against zone coverage. He diverts from the game plan and changes playcalls to what some feel is an excessive degree,” ESPN’s Tim McManus and Jeremy Fowler wrote. “His strong preferences, coupled with the coaches’ efforts to play to his strengths, which include his deep-ball accuracy and throws to the perimeter, limit the breadth to which the offense can expand — or at least that’s the way it has gone in the past.”
The Eagles find themselves in a much different spot this offseason compared to last, with as much uncertainty surrounding the organization this year compared to any other season in the Hurts era.
A team that seemed to be an offensive juggernaut suddenly seemed human, with Philadelphia struggling to establish a passing game and opposing defenses finding ways to get stops and prevent Tush Pushes.
The quarterback always comes under fire in such situations, and Hurts, perhaps due to his tendency to run, seems like an easier target than others.
There have always been questions about his passing abilities, even while winning a Super Bowl, and he did little to dispel those notions this past season.
That’s not to say these issues did not exist before, but winning, as they say, is the best deterrent.
Hurts reportedly “did not always embrace” schemes pushed forward by former offensive coordinator and current Saints coach Kellen Moore, including pushback against motions and shifts.
Several sources described their relationship to ESPN as “tense.”
One source told ESPN that Hurts will abandon things if they don’t provide immediate results, and an individual close to Hurts pushed back against the idea that Hurts is against motions and shifts.
Moore and Hurts won a Super Bowl together, but Patullo instead guided an offense that played with a compromised offensive line.
Players reportedly lost faith in Patullo during the year, with some believing the noise that Patullo did not do well in his new role as the offense floundered.
One source told ESPN that Hurts needs coaches who “check him,” while the 2025 coaching staff had too many “yes people,” although Patullo was not named.
Eagles points per game in Jalen Hurts’ season as the starting QB
With defenses able to contain Philadelphia’s rushing attack in 2025, Hurts only ran 105 times for 421 yards, his lowest marks for any of his five seasons in the starting role.
Hurts saw more zone coverage — 56.2 percent of his dropbacks, per ESPN — and while he’s a better passer against said defense, he doesn’t reel off big plays against zone.
When teams employed a zone defense, it led to a dip in Brown’s production.
Brown tallied less than 50 receiving yards in seven of his 16 games, including the postseason, when he posted three catches for 25 yards in the 23-19 home loss to the 49ers.
To combat defenses’ tendencies and open up more play-action tactics, Patullo wanted more plays under center, but sources said the quarterback “continually fights” that strategy since he doesn’t like to “turn his back on the defense,” compared to reading the play in front of him.
The Eagles primarily operate out of the shotgun.
Hurts is also reportedly active in changing plays, not always to great results.
He reportedly engineered an audible to a failed fourth-down incomplete pass that nearly cost the Eagles a game against the Packers.
“You never know what play is coming out of the huddle,” one team source said.
There are also questions about how his no-nonsense personality affects his teammates.
“Poor body language, not always bought in, not the most coachable and the players notice,” one team source told ESPN.
One source said, “He’s now at a point where, ‘I’m the guy. I’m him.’ He has never been that since his freshman year at Alabama and he didn’t handle it well. He has to be able to handle both and he’s learning.”
Hurts particularly has an odd relationship with Brown, who indicated throughout the year his frustration with the offense.
He is still on the team for the time being, although it’s possible he could be traded during the upcoming NFL draft.
The vibes between the two “weren’t good,” per ESPN, and the outlet further said the two would rarely see them together.
Several individuals close to Hurts reportedly told him that he played a part in what went wrong this year, and he now has to prepare for a critical 2026 campaign in which the spotlight will be on him.
“He has had a lot of success and will continue to,” one unnamed player told ESPN. “It’s exhausting to learn something new every year. But he’s battling.”
