Jalen Hurts isn’t wrong – he needs to play better

Jalen Hurts has a point – he actually needs to play better. It originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

TAMPA — Jalen Hurts expressed this in several ways during his postgame press conference following the Eagles' 33-16 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday.

And he's right.

He has to play better.

That was his usual refrain Sunday afternoon at Raymond James Stadium as he was asked just about every question. It was as responsible as we've ever heard Hurts take in his career.

“I think overall I just need to play better,” he said. “I have to play better. We have a ton of opportunities to lead the offense and really play complementary ball, and that starts with me being on that side of the ball. To get through like we did, I have to help the defense – by executing and communicating the things I see on the field. I'm just trying to really create the momentum that we need to get into the end zone. That starts with me when it comes to getting into the end zone and leading the charge, and I didn’t do a good enough job at that.”

It would be unfair to attribute the entire defeat to Hurts.

The defense offered no resistance to Baker Mayfield and the Bucs. Special teams had a disastrous turnover. And Hurts went into this game without the other three key offensive players: Lane Johnson, AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith.

But even with Jahan Dotson, Johnny Wilson, Parris Campbell and John Ross as receivers, the Eagles still have a solid offensive line. They still have Dallas Goedert. They still have Saquon Barkley.

Hurts needs to be able to make an impact. And the Eagles didn't get a first down until 6:32 left in the second quarter on Sunday.

“There’s no doubt that anyone who steps onto this field has opportunity,” Hurts said. “You have to give the boys chances and put them in positions to be successful. I need to be out there scoring points and spreading them around – really running the show and leading the charge offensively and leading the attack as a team. I need to get better at this.”

So even without some of their stars, the Eagles have to be better. Because Hurts is also said to be one of the Eagles' best players. He's the guy who was on his way to MVP before a season-ending injury when he led the Eagles to the Super Bowl in 2022.

Where is this guy?

Against the Bucs on Sunday, Hurts completed 18 of 30 passes for 158 yards and a touchdown. He also had 8 carries for 20 yards and a score. It's not that he played the worst game of his career, but he didn't do enough either. He missed too many shots and made too many mistakes.

And his turnover problem resurfaced.

As the Eagles tried to get back into the game in the third quarter, they found themselves in the red zone when Hurts dodged a tackle from Tampa linebacker Lavonte David. But then Hurts took too long to initiate a throw from the pocket and David came back for a strip sack. This largely dashed any hope of a comeback.

While head coach Nick Sirianni tried to take the blame for that turnover away from Hurts – saying it wasn't his fault if he tried to throw and got hit from behind – Hurts needs to know better.

In this situation, Hurts' internal clock has to run faster.

“I think it comes down to being determined and knowing exactly what you're going to do,” he said. “I think if we get the ball away we have the opportunity to get (Grant) Calcaterra into the middle of the field, but in the end we just didn't have enough time in that situation.”

This was Hurts' seventh turnover of the season, just one behind Will Levis, who led the league. Hurts has committed 27 turnovers since the start of the 2023 season, the most in the NFL.

And the Eagles now have a -6 turnover differential through four games. This is the second worst mark in the league.

“I have to get better,” Hurts said. “That's the only thing I can say. I have to get better. I think things will get better once we find an identity for ourselves, and we're trying to figure that out.”

As an offense, the Eagles managed just 227 yards, 16 first downs and 14 points on Sunday. They averaged just 4.1 yards per offensive play.

The good news is that help is coming. There's a strong chance the Eagles get Brown, Smith and Johnson back when they return to action in Week 6 after an early bye in Week 5.

But Hurts also needs to get better. No doubt.

After hearing this more than half a dozen times Sunday afternoon, he was finally asked what he needed to improve most.

“Production,” Hurts said. “I care about the ball and just the efficiency. We have to collect points and that starts with me.”

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