A recent update from a Philadelphia Eagles practice this week doesn't offer a more positive outlook compared to the situation described at the start of OTAs last week.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts is not hitting his groove this spring. Fortunately, the Eagles’ $51 million per year gunslinger has a few months to sort things out before the start of the season.
Kenny Pickett outperformed Hurts last week
As previously discussed, Kenny Pickett outperformed Hurts during practice last week.
According to Ed Kracz with Eagles Today in his “overreactions” column, Pickett outperformed Hurts during OTA drills this week:
“The backup quarterback looked sharp, sharper than Jalen Hurts, to be honest. Hurts was on the money on his first two seven-on-seven throws, hitting A.J. Brown on a quick inside slant then following up with a nice sideline throw about 15 yards downfield. Pickett, though, was consistently on target. The Eagles can win games with him if something happens to Hurts.”
Pickett wasn’t better this week
One item was different this week. Pickett struggled. According to Brooks Kubena with The Athletic, Pickett didn’t play as well during Thursday’s practice that was open to the media:
“Backup quarterback Kenny Pickett, who threw the practice’s only touchdown pass last week, was less sharp on Thursday. He overthrew tight end Albert Okwuegbunam on a short out to the right sideline.”
The Eagles defense is eating from Hurts’ hand
While the Eagles QB2 is playing like a QB2, their QB1 isn’t playing like a QB1 one yet. Per Kubena, Hurts hasn’t completed “an explosive pass of significance” in the two practice sessions open to the media during OTAs in May. Worse, Hurts was picked multiple times on Thursday:
“In addition to the pick-six Hurts threw to Rodgers, Hurts was intercepted one other time during Thursday’s drills. He tried to force a crosser to A.J. Brown into a crowded middle. The ball was expectedly batted by several defenders until linebacker Zach Baun corralled it for an interception.
Hurts did attempt a deep ball: Ringo, covering Parris Campbell tightly, jumped and deflected the challenge.”
After a humbling 2023 season, Eagles fans hoped Hurts would return to his near-MVP form from the 2022 season. After all, the Eagles have invested heavily in his success this offseason. OTAs aren’t everything, but these reports might keep some fans awake at night. They’ll sleep better if Hurts plays better in September.
