Why Jalen Hurts could deliver the finest season of his career

Every offseason brings questions about Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. Can he throw with more anticipation? Will the Eagles become more explosive through the air? Can Philadelphia's passing game reach another level?

Those conversations aren't new, but they often overshadow something equally important. Despite the scrutiny, the Eagles can do much worse than having their QB1 under center (or more often in the shotgun).

Hurts is already playing winning football, and several encouraging signs from last season suggest the Eagles quarterback may be positioned to take another step forward in 2026. One of his top weapons is gone, but there's faith in the talent around him, which is a good recipe for a solid season and another step forward.

Stability for Jalen Hurts brings renewed optimism.

Once again, Hurts enters a season working with a new offensive coordinator. Ordinarily, that wouldn't qualify as encouraging news. This situation feels different. Sean Mannion arrives with experience in an offensive system built around under-center concepts, play action, and marrying the running and passing games.

The Eagles believe that philosophy complements Hurts' skill set, much as Shane Steichen's offense once did. The pair still must prove it during live NFL action, but there appears to be more optimism surrounding the offense than there was entering much of last season.

Jalen Hurts quietly reached a new career milestone

Lost amid discussions about Philadelphia's offensive evolution was a significant accomplishment. Hurts threw a career-high 35 touchdown passes in 2025 (25). He continues to demonstrate his ability to protect the football while finishing drives through the air.

The Eagles believe there's still another level to reach. Most fans and pundits would agree, but there's no reason to believe his trek forward is an impossible hill to climb. With the weapons surrounding him, that touchdown total could continue climbing if the offense becomes more efficient.

Ball security remains one of his greatest strengths.

Quarterbacks are often judged by the number of touchdown passes they throw, but part of leading is understanding that the goal is to sustain drives, move the chains, and put the ball in the end zone by any means necessary. Championship quarterbacks also protect possessions. Hurts has thrown fewer than seven interceptions in three of his five seasons as Philadelphia's full-time starter, combining aggressiveness with disciplined decision-making.

According to Sports Illustrated's Jeff Kerr, Hurts has also completed 77.9 percent of his passes thrown between the hash marks since 2022 while posting a 123.7 passer rating in that area, trailing only Lamar Jackson. Those aren't the numbers of an inaccurate passer. They're the numbers of a quarterback consistently making winning decisions. In the end, those are the top goals for an NFL gunslinger.

Two touchdowns per game create a strong foundation

Hurts accounted for 32 total touchdowns last season. That averages almost exactly two scores every game. Combined with one of the NFL's premier defenses, that's enough production to win a lot of football games. Still, that won't do it in shootouts versus other elite offenses. It's fair to wonder how much higher Philadelphia's ceiling could become.

If Hurts and Mannion can consistently push that number closer to three touchdowns per game, the Eagles' offense could become one of football's most dangerous units. Paired with a defense that forces turnovers and limits explosive plays on the other side of the ball, Philadelphia could be more balanced than it's ever been.

How about a Troy Aikman comparison?

You won't often hear Hurts compared to Troy Aikman. Let's, however, link the two for the benefit of this conversation.

Hall of Famer Troy Aikman's single-season high for TD passes came in 1992. He completed 63.8 percent of his passes for 3,445 yards. He threw 23 touchdowns and 14 interceptions while leading the Dallas Cowboys to a Super Bowl title.

Hurts' 2025 campaign compares favorably. He completed 64.8 percent of his passes for 3,224 yards with 25 touchdown passes against only five interceptions. The eras are different. The offenses are different. Aikman also handed the football to Emmitt Smith, one of the greatest running backs in NFL history.

Still, the comparison serves as an interesting reminder. Hurts' numbers already resemble those of a Hall of Fame quarterback during one of his championship seasons. If he continues refining his anticipation, processing, and timing within Sean Mannion's offense, 2026 could become the season when the Eagles quarterback produces the finest campaign of his career.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Why Jalen Hurts could deliver the finest season of his career