Offseason workouts around the NFL are coming to an end, and with a long wait until the beginning of training camp, it is officially #ListSzn around the league — and there is one list that Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts might want to pin in his locker for motivation.
NBC Sports analyst Chris Simms is in the process of revealing his top 40 quarterbacks, and although he isn't finished, things are not looking good for the Eagles current No. 1 quarterback.
With only the top 12 spots remaining, Hurts has not yet made the list. Guys that have made the top 40? Quarterbacks like Case Keenum, Drew Lock, Marcus Mariota, rookie Kellen Mond, and yes, Carson Wentz.
While anything is possible, it seems very unlikely that Hurts is going to be in the top 12, which means he might have been left off all together. Finishing outside the top 40 would mean not only does Simms not think Hurts is starting-quality quarterback, but it also means he seems to believe he wouldn't even be the best backup on a few teams.
What is especially interesting is that he does have rookie quarterbacks on the list, meaning he is taking into account the future and not just ranking off of past accomplishments. Not having Hurts high on the list based off of past accomplishments is certainly understandable, considering he has only appeared in five games in his career.
Simms is certainly entitled to his opinion. There is no question in the past he has done an excellent job evaluating quarterbacks, so the list is absolutely noteworthy. Simms is also not alone in his skepticism about Hurts. The entire offseason the national media has linked the Eagles to quarterbacks, and for the most part, the reason is their own skepticism in Hurts.
When the 2021 season comes to an end, however, I think the national media is going to be wrong about Hurts.
Let me start by saying is somewhat understandable to not be super high on Hurts from afar. The Eagles were a train wreck last season and Hurts barely played. As a late-second round pick, those who weren't high on Hurts coming into 2020 likely didn't see much to change their opinion.
I think this is a situation, however, where watching and covering the team up close last season gives a clearer look at Hurts as a player. I think Hurts was far more impressive than he is being given credit for nationally, and showed the key qualities you want in a quarterback last season, both in the pocket and off the field.
There is no denying his 52% completion percentage does not look impressive on paper, but watching him, it is clear he can throw an accurate, catchable ball from the pocket. Hurts has a very strong arm, and there were only a handful of throws in five games that Hurts should have made but didn't. For the most part Hurts delivered the ball where it needed to be, and most importantly, in stride to his receiver. That is not something that was happening with Wentz under center.
Hurts' ability to make plays with his legs was also very apparent when he became the starter. Hurts consistently turned a bad play into a positive gain with his legs, and kept the Eagles offense moving in situations where they likely would have punted before. There is no question that to be an elite quarterback in today's NFL you have to be a threat with your legs and Hurts certainly checks that box.
It also has to be taken into consideration that Hurts stepped into a terrible situation, with the team sinking fast, and was the spark that lead a bad Eagles team to a win over the New Orleans Saints. Then the following week he totaled 401 yards in a a near comeback win over the Arizona Cardinals. Although the ending of his season was not strong, he was a rookie quarterback with no training camp or offseason, and was thrown into a very tough spot late in the season. His ability to get the players to gravitate to him, both last season and this offseason, is impressive.
The list is also a reminder that, as much as there is talk about the team's need at cornerback, the way Nick Sirianni is at press conferences and potential front-office issues, the reality is that the Eagles are only going to be as good as their quarterback play next season.
I think Hurts is going to be good next season, and as a result, I believe the team will be good.
If Simms and the national media is correct about Hurts, however, it could be another long season for the Eagles.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
