Eagles’ Jalen Hurts embraces role in Philly after signing contract extension
The path isnt lost on Jalen Hurts.
And as the Eagles celebrated his $255 million contract extension on Monday morning, the date on the calendar wasnt lost on him either. Monday was April 24, the three-year anniversary of when the Eagles shocked the City of Philadelphia and the NFL world by taking Hurts in the second round.
Three years later, Philadelphia has become Hurts home. And Hurts has become an icon in the city.
I want to thank the Eagles organization, Hurts said in an opening statement on Monday morning. And really thank them for this opportunity, not only to lead this team but to lead this city. Philadelphia is a very special place and a place I want to be for a very long time.
That line about leading not just the team, but the City of Philadelphia really stood out.
Because this is a city that was pretty confused when the Eagles took Hurts in 2020. And rightfully so. The Eagles already had a quarterback; why use a second-round pick on another? It took a disastrous season in 2020 but it all eventually worked out. Hurts became the starter in 2021 and an MVP candidate in 2022, proving himself as the unquestioned franchise QB. Now he has the contract to match.
And Hurts understands that this is a city where the football team is so ingrained in the culture. If youre leading the Eagles, you hold an important place in Philadelphia. Not only does Hurts get that; he embraces it.
And the city embraces him back. It seems like a perfect match. That relationship with the city is important to Hurts.
It means a lot. It means everything, Hurts said. And I think three years ago today, Mr. (Jeffrey) Lurie and Howie (Roseman) had the courage to draft me when no one really understood why. No one knew why.
And I think just to have the opportunity to grow into a man, grow into the young man that I am today, I couldnt do it another place and I couldnt imagine this being another way. Its a hell of an opportunity for us all.
It was pretty clear upon Hurts arrival in Philly that his teammates gravitated toward him. Hurts has that type of personality that comes naturally but he works at it too. Heck, he works at everything.
At this point, youve heard all the stories about his early arrivals, his staying at the facility late into the evening. You might even start to roll your eyes hearing them at this point. Theres some folklore already about Hurts work ethic but its not an act. That part is real.
And if theres one thing that will earn anyone points with sports fans in Philly, its caring about this as much as they do.
Playing at Alabama and playing at Oklahoma, those are two very special places, Hurts aid. But Philly its a Philly thing. Its different.
Hurts extension will keep him under contract through the 2028 season. By that point, hell be 30 and should have eights seasons as a starter under his belt with the opportunity to go down as one of the greatest and most popular players in franchise history.
But even as he celebrated his contract on Monday, he kept talking about putting the work first. Thats something Philadelphia can appreciate.
All that success has made it pretty difficult for Hurts to be out and about in the city, he joked.
I cant really go nowhere around here, but thats the sacrifice we make, Hurts said. Thats the sacrifice we make because I love this place. I love this place, I love the fans, I love the culture that we have here. And I love everything about it and as we all should be, Im excited for whats to come.
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