Jalen Hurts became the highest-paid player on an annual basis in the NFL on Monday with a $255 million extension over five years, but with the large contract also comes large expectations.
“Now the pressure is on, no question,” former Eagle Hugh Douglas said on 94 WIP’s mid-day show. “He has to go out and he has to produce next year. Mo money, mo problems. He’s going to come under heavy scrutiny.”
LISTEN TO HUGH DOUGLAS, JOE GIGLIO REACT TO HURTS DEAL
Hurts, a second-round pick, has adored himself to the Philly faithful and earned the massive payday with a breakout 2022 campaign in which he threw 22 touchdowns to six interceptions and rushed for another 13 TDs while leading the Eagles to a trip to the Super Bowl — losing to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Joe Giglio, Douglas’ co-host, cautioned things can change fast if he does not perform like he did last season.
“People liked Carson Wentz here. He didn’t play as well and people stopped liking him, especially when he got paid,” Giglio said. “There is pressure now. … He doesn’t have to become Patrick Mahomes. If he plays like he did last year for the next five years, people are gonna love him.”
Of course, Wentz had a long string of injury history and was given an extension following an ACL injury.
Hurts nearly won the Super Bowl last year – rushing for three TDs and throwing one without an interception in the game, yet still came up short.
The Eagles seem to be more confident in Hurts, too, considering he is the first player in franchise history to be given a no-trade clause.
“It means I love you and you’re gonna be here with us,” Douglas said. “We’re in this together.”
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