Jaguars' Doug Pederson addresses success of Eagles' Jalen Hurts

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson believed years ago that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts could become a star in the NFL. 

"It’s really no surprise to me the success that Jalen’s having right now and just wish him the best moving forward," Pederson said during a recent appearance on the "Takeoff with John Clark" podcast, per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. 

Pederson was Hurts' head coach in Philadelphia during the signal-caller's rookie season, before the 24-year-old became a revelation playing under current Eagles coach Nick Sirianni. It was reported in March 2022 that Philadelphia temporarily considered replacing Hurts atop the depth chart with Deshaun Watson before Watson apparently turned the Eagles down to instead join the Cleveland Browns from the Houston Texans. 

Sirianni and company likely appreciate Watson's decision, as Hurts emerged as a legitimate Most Valuable Player candidate last fall. According to ESPN stats, Hurts finished the 2022 regular season fourth among eligible players with a 66.4 adjusted QBR and a 101.6 passer rating. He threw 22 touchdown passes and rushed for an additional 13 scores en route to helping the Eagles complete a trip to Super Bowl LVII, where they fell to the Kansas City Chiefs 38–35.

"But the things that impressed me the most are probably the things you see off the football field," Pederson continued. "The leadership ability, his work ethic, the way he approaches the game, the way he studies the game, the way he wants to be coached — he wants to be coached hard. The things that sometimes the fans don’t see. They obviously see the end product on the football field. And he’s a tremendous kid and tremendous talent. He’s the right guy for that job and just wish him nothing but great success moving forward." 

The Eagles clearly agree with Pederson's assessment. They locked Hurts down earlier this offseason via a five-year contract extension reportedly worth up to $255M with $179.3M guaranteed. That agreement could be viewed as a steal for the Eagles as soon as February 2024 if Hurts guides the betting favorites to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LVIII right back to the title game.