When Nick Sirianni didn't want to name Jalen Hurts the Eagles starter because of "competition", it was pointless, but overall no big deal. It was clear Hurts was QB1 on the roster despite what Sirianni might have said.
When Sirianni didn't name Hurts the starter after signing Joe Flacco, it was silly, but once again not a huge deal. Nobody really thought Flacco was going to start over Hurts.
Now, however, things have changed — and Sirianni's gameplan needs to change with it.
As the Eagles open training camp today, and prepare for their first practice on Wednesday, the rumors are building that the team is seriously considering acquiring Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. Every national outlet is tying the Eagles to Watson. Almost every local beat writer will tell you the Eagles' interest is very real. The smoke is building and the cloud of whether they will acquire Watson is getting very close to being a distraction as the team opens camp.
To combat those rumors and give Hurts a real chance to succeed this season, Sirianni needs change course and name Hurts his starting quarterback during his first press conference of training camp on Thursday.
The team will never admit they are in on Watson, and more than likely, Sirianni will dodge the question on Wednesday. But what he can't do is once again not name Hurts the starter. If he once again avoids the question and cite "competition" as why, the result will throwing more fuel onto the fire that the team is on Watson, in part, because they don't believe in Hurts.
There is also the reality that the players might be watching closer than ever on how the team handles Hurts.
Whether the Eagles actually acquire Watson remains to be seen, but there is almost no chance that the majority of the players in that locker room haven't been following the rumors about Watson and seeing their team constantly linked to trading for a new quarterback. Add in that they likely saw the head coach dodge naming Hurts the starter all offseason and it isn't hard for them to figure out what might be going on.
There is also no question the rumors and constant speculation puts Hurts in a tough spot.
Hurts is a second-year quarterback who is trying to win over a team filled with veterans on both sides of the ball. The players already like Hurts, but there is a difference between being liked and being a respected leader. It is going to be hard for Hurts to be the leader if he is going to be walking into a huddle of players who think he will be traded to Houston as soon as the Eagles can get Watson.
When Sirianni was undercutting Hurts by making it seem like Flacco could win the job, that was one thing. Fans and media seemed upset, but no player really believed Flacco would start. Hurts helped Sirianni at the time by saying he was fine with competing and didn't want to be handed the job. Hurts helped put the fire out.
Now, Sirianni needs to return the favor and help put out the building fire surrounding Hurts. Name Hurts the starter and show him some support. Help him win over the locker room and show his teammates you believe in him, because despite all the rumors, there is still a real chance he is the starter for Week 1.
If Hurts is eventually traded in a deal that lands Watson, nobody is going to call out Sirianni on naming the Hurts the starter and then it not happening. Nobody will say he lied. Plus, at that point, Hurts will either be gone or very clearly not be the starter anyway.
That isn't the case, now, however. Hurts is the starter. He will likely be the first QB up when the team practices on Wednesday, and if they played a game tomorrow, he would be starting.
Right now, Hurts needs support. He needs his head coach.
He needs to be named the starter — and it needs to happen Wednesday.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
