PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) -- The Eagles got a big win on Sunday over the Saints with their new starting quarterback, Jalen Hurts. It took a little longer than expected, but coach Doug Pederson confirmed Monday that Hurts will start again this weekend when the Eagles play the Cardinals.
Peterson, after the game, did not say if Hurts would start against Arizona on Sunday, but in his day-after news conference, he did reveal that, yes indeed, it will be Hurts.
The rookie quarterback had a very impressive game against the Saints, throwing for 167 yards and finishing with 106 total rushing yards.
Pederson explained why he hesitated to name Hurts the starter after the game and why he was cautious about his praise for the rookie.
"I was thinking of a lot of things," said Pederson. "I was thinking about Carson (Wentz), but I was thinking about the rest of the team and how the rest of the team played in the game. Jalen played well. He was a big part of the success we had on offense and obviously helping us win that football game."
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"He played a tremendous game. He showed us athleticism. But more than that, he showed tremendous poise, and he showed great decision-making," Voice of the Eagles Merrill Reese told KYW Newsradio Monday morning.
"He was an accurate passer, and he showed his great running ability. He was the total quarterback yesterday in his first NFL start."
Even with a host of backups surrounding Hurts, the offense had a better flow throughout much of Sunday's game. Pederson could see the difference as Hurts quickly settled into his new role.
"I felt like the flow was different," Pederson said. "That started with me as the play caller. One of the things that we try to go into every game and try to keep a defense off balance, and I felt yesterday — each week, sometimes on Monday, I sit up here and go, ‘Hey, we've got to do better on first down, we have to stay ahead of the chains.’”
So the Eagles love Hurts at quarterback, but unfortunately, they will not have Rodney McLeod in the secondary. Peterson confirmed that McLeod tour his ACL in the win over the Saints. And Darius Slay is in concussion protocol.
"I've challenged the team every week that everybody on the team can be a leader," said Pederson. "It doesn't need to necessarily be the most veteran player. Anybody can lead. But yeah, Rodney was a big, vocal leader on this team."
Barring an injury, it is hard to imagine Hurts will come out of the lineup anytime soon. The rest of the Eagles responded to the change at quarterback, and Pederson believes players know they have to step up when a drastic move such as putting in a rookie quarterback is made during the season.
"I think that's a big part of it," Pederson said. "I think everybody rallies around, and like you said, I see guys sort of step their game up when a backup comes in. They have to do their job even better."
With that win, the Eagles are now 4-8-1 in the season. This Sunday's game in Arizona will kick off at 4:05 p.m. Eastern Time.