After leading the Eagles to the Super Bowl in the 2022 season, 2023 was a comparatively down year for Jalen Hurts despite leading the team to the playoffs again. For one Eagles veteran though, the 2024 offseason has seen a big change from the Pro Bowl QB.
Appearing on The Rich Eisen Show, Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson praised Hurts for how he’s bonded with his teammates and become a “more vocal leader” among everyone.
“Just this offseason, he’s really done a good job of bonding with his teammates,” Johnson said. “I feel like the connection has definitely grown. A really big offseason. The work ethic has never been an issue. Tremendous worker. But, just becoming a more vocal leader and, whenever he speaks, guys listen up.”
Hurts led the Eagles to an 11-6 record and a trip to the playoffs, where they were eliminated by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While he had a career-high in passing yards and touchdowns, he also had career high in interceptions thrown, which led to a number of losses.
But the Eagles have been retooling hard this offseason, making key additions with the likes of Saquon Barkley and John Franklin-Myers to address their few positions of weakness.
If Hurts bounces back and plays like a top five quarterback in the NFL next year, perhaps a return trip to the Super Bowl won’t be out of the question.