Tag: Hurts

Dec 14, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton (14) warms up before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Reports: Eagles trade for veteran QB Andy Dalton

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Philadelphia Eagles are trading a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for journeyman quarterback Andy Dalton, according to multiple reports Wednesday.

With Jalen Hurts firmly in the starting role for the Eagles, Dalton is figured to battle for the backup position with Tanner McKee, who had drawn trade interest this offseason.

Dalton, 38, has served as a backup for Carolina for the past three seasons under starter Bryce Young. He spent the first nine years of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals before having one year stints with the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints.

In 179 games (169 starts), Dalton has thrown for 39,793 yards, 254 touchdowns and 151 interceptions with a career passer rating of 87.5. He has a career record of 84-83-2 and is a three-time Pro Bowl selection.

The trade will save the Panthers $2.1 million in salary cap space in 2026.

–Field Level Media

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts: ‘Too soon’ to think about OC returning

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Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was given a second opportunity to vouch for offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo on Monday, but offered no such endorsement.

Hurts spoke to media in front his locker on Monday afternoon and was asked if he prefers to have Patullo return next season. He largely deferred to head coach Nick Sirianni and owner Jeffrey Lurie.

“It too soon to think about that. I put my trust in (president) Howie (Roseman), Nick and Mr. Lurie,” Hurts said.

The Eagles averaged 27.2 points per game under Moore’s direction last season. They lost 23-19 in Sunday’s wild-card round and averaged 22.3 points during the regular season.

ESPN reported on Monday the Eagles are expecting drastic changes on offense, which could include personnel and coaches.

When asked about the offense not producing in the wild-card loss to San Francisco on Sunday night, Hurts said he wanted to “give my respects to the 49ers, how they came out and played. They made plays when they needed to. Coaches coached well.”

Patullo has been a part of the Eagles’ coaching staff since 2021 and became offensive coordinator when Kellen Moore was hired as Saints head coach after Philadelphia won last season’s Super Bowl.

–Field Level Media

Bench Jalen Hurts? Eagles’ Nick Sirianni shoots down ‘ridiculous’ QB idea

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Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles take the field this week trying to avoid a four-game losing streak, but head coach Nick Sirianni shot down the idea the reigning Super Bowl MVP quarterback might lose his job.

After starting the season 8-2, the Eagles are 8-5 and Hurts had a quarterback rating of 31.2 with four interceptions and a fumble Monday in Philadelphia’s 22-19 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Is Hurts still the QB1 in Philly?

“Yeah, absolutely,” Sirianni said Wednesday in an interview with 94 WIP.

Is there a chance he could be benched later this season?

“No, I think that’s ridiculous,” Sirianni said. “I know every time I go out in that field with Jalen Hurts as our quarterback, we have a chance to win the game. And that’s something that’s proven. We’ve won a lot of football games. We don’t ever go in and assign something. This is a team game. You win together as a team. You lose together as a team.

“I know every time I walk on that field with Jalen Hurts as our quarterback we can win every game, any game that we’re in.”

Philadelphia remains well below league average with 13 giveaways. Hurts’ fumble at Los Angeles last week was his first of the season and with four picks he has a total of six in 2025. The Eagles had 16 turnovers in 2024.

The Eagles lead the NFC East but offensive production has been a talking point most of the season, especially of late.

Since scoring 38 points in an 18-point victory over the New York Giants on Oct. 26, the Eagles are averaging 16.2 points per game. They’ve allowed 20 or more 10 times this season.

–Field Level Media

Jun 10, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) addresses media during a press conference at NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts writes football-based children’s book

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Super Bowl-winning quarterback Jalen Hurts is releasing a children’s book next year.

Hurts announced the new work on social media on Monday, posting a photo of the cover on X.

It’s called “Better Than a Touchdown” and is set to be released March 10.

According to a synopsis of the book posted to Bookshop.org, “Better Than a Touchdown” is “an empowering story about friendship, the power of teamwork, and achieving goals together.”

The book was illustrated by Canadian artist Nneka Myers.

Hurts, 26, is a two-time Pro Bowl selection. He led the Philadelphia Eagles to a 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX in February.

–Field Level Media

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni wields the Vince Lombardi trophy during the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl celebration in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025.

Philly revelry: Eagles celebrate Super Bowl LIX title

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Howie Roseman strolled to the podium, Lombardi Trophy in hand, and took a big puff of a celebratory cigar.

His forehead had been cut by a can of beer thrown in his direction, but the Philadelphia Eagles’ general manager didn’t seem to mind.

“I bleed for this city!” he bellowed.

Below, a sea of fans clad in Kelly green roared back in approval, not that they had ever stopped.

Cheers and beers were aplenty throughout downtown Philadelphia on Friday as scores of Eagles fans braved the cold to celebrate their team’s second Super Bowl championship.

Philadelphia secured its latest Lombardi in dominant fashion, blasting Kansas City 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX last Sunday in New Orleans.

The party started late Thursday night, with fans sleeping in tents along the parade route to ensure they’d get an up-close look at their heroes the following day.

After beginning on Broad Street, the parade route made its way to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where the Eagles took the podium atop the iconic “Rocky” steps to give speeches.

Players posed for pictures with fans along the way while catching beer cans thrown from the jubilant crowd. Tight end Dallas Goedert even made a one-handed snag on a hoagie tossed his way atop one of the parade’s double-decker buses.

Star running back Saquon Barkley made a young girl’s third birthday extra special by lifting her up and holding her as giddy family members recorded the interaction. Barkley also recognized one of the team’s ball boys in the crowd and helped him over the barricade to join the parade.

Roseman wasn’t the only one to fire up the sea of fans from the podium, as Super Bowl MVP quarterback Jalen Hurts, head coach Nick Sirianni and wide receiver A.J. Brown all sent the crowd into a frenzy when they approached the mic.

“You know, I told myself that when I got drafted, that I wouldn’t come to the Rocky steps until I won a championship,” said Hurts, who accounted for 293 yards and three touchdowns in the Super Bowl win. “And now we’re here.”

Sirianni, 43, secured his first title in his fourth season as the Eagles’ coach. He did it by avenging a three-point loss to Kansas City in Super Bowl LVII two years earlier.

“This team is special. We can’t be great without the greatness of others and that certainly applies to our fans,” Sirianni said.

Brown, who caught a 12-yard touchdown from Hurts and finished with three receptions for 43 yards against Kansas City, clapped back at the criticism he received throughout the regular season.

“They said I was a diva, they said all I care about was stats,” Brown said. “You gonna get all those things wrong about me, but one thing you get right: I’m a (expletive) champion!”

Brown, Hurts and company got off to a shaky start in 2024, losing two of their first four games ahead of their Week 5 bye.

The Eagles soon found their stride and rattled off 10 straight wins to seize control of the NFC East. They clinched the division in Week 17 and finished 14-3 to secure the No. 2 seed in the playoffs.

Never having to leave Philadelphia throughout the NFC playoffs, the Eagles took care of the Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams and Washington Commanders before exacting revenge on Kansas City and former Philadelphia coach Andy Reid, storming ahead 34-0 in the third quarter against the two-time defending champions.

“I’m so happy you didn’t have to go through a nail-biter game,” veteran defensive end Brandon Graham said. “It’s about us being gritty. We’re going to stay gritty.”

Friday’s parade was not entirely joyful, though.

Area police said two women were shot in the leg during an argument that occurred near the parade route, per ESPN. It is unclear whether the shooting was related to the celebration.

Last year, one person was killed and at least 22 others were wounded in a mass shooting at the Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade in Kansas City, Mo.

–Field Level Media

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) talks with Fox announcer Terry Bradshaw after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

MVP Jalen Hurts, Eagles find multiple ways

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NEW ORLEANS — Jalen Hurts was comfortable sharing the spotlight from September through January.

But on the second Sunday night in February when it mattered most, the Eagles’ quarterback stepped to the forefront and earned the Most Valuable Player Award in Philadelphia’s 40-22 victory against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX in the Caesars Superdome.

“Jalen just knows how to win,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. “He does a great job of blocking out the noise. He’s special.”

Hurts denied Kansas City what would have been the first three-peat in Super Bowl history. He completed 17 of 22 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 72 yards and a touchdown, becoming the fifth player with multiple touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown in a Super Bowl.

Hurts was characteristically humble in sharing the credit for the Eagles’ dominance.

“It took a total team effort,” the five-year veteran said. “The defense played the way they have all year. Defenses win championships, and you saw how they were the difference in the game. They gave us opportunities with short fields, and we made the plays we had to make in order to put points on the board.”

Saquon Barkley joined the Eagles as a free agent from the New York Giants last offseason and greatly enhanced the team’s rushing game by gaining more than 2,000 yards on the ground.

Barkley and the Eagles’ top-rated defense also excelled in three playoff games, while the passing game was inconsistent and Hurts was hobbled by a knee injury sustained in the divisional game against the Los Angeles Rams.

“We’ve been able to find multiple ways to win,” Hurts said.

On Sunday, Hurts led an efficient offense that accumulated 21 first downs and had the ball for nearly 37 minutes by making big plays that staggered the Chiefs.

On Philadelphia’s second possession, he threw completions of 20 yards to Dallas Goedert and 27 yards to Jahan Dotson, leading to Hurts’ 1-yard sneak for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead.

After throwing an interception with his team in field-goal range on the team’s next possession, he bounced right back by throwing a 22-yard completion to A.J. Brown to set up Jake Elliott’s 48-yard field goal and a 10-0 lead.

“I try to embrace every situation,” Hurts said. “I try to turn every negative into a positive, every weakness into a strength.”

The Eagles also led the Chiefs by 10 points at halftime in the Super Bowl two years ago and wound up losing 38-35. This team kept extending the lead.

The defense chipped in a 38-yard interception return for a touchdown by rookie Cooper DeJean and a Zack Baun interception at the Kansas City 14-yard line, leading to Hurts’ 12-yard touchdown pass to Brown and a 24-0 halftime lead.

On the Eagles’ first possession of the third quarter, Hurts had scrambles for 16 yards and 14 yards and threw a 22-yard completion to Barkley, leading to Elliott’s 29-yard field goal.

Then late in the third quarter, on the first play after the Chiefs turned the ball over on downs at their 46, Hurts launched a touchdown pass to DaVonta Smith for a 34-0 lead.

From there, Hurts managed the game well enough to get two more field goals from Elliott amid Kansas City scores that never threatened the lead.

Hurts’ performance ended a series of disappointments in championship opportunities.

In the Super Bowl loss two years ago, he passed for 304 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 70 yards and three scores.

“As good as it was,” Hurts said Sunday, “it wasn’t enough to win. Sometimes you have to accept that you have to wait your turn.”

As Alabama’s quarterback, Hurts lost to Clemson in the 2016 College Football Playoff Championship Game and was benched in favor of Tua Tagovailoa in the Crimson Tide’s 2017 championship victory against Georgia.

After Hurts transferred to Oklahoma, he lost to LSU in a 2019 CFP semifinal.

“It’s been an unprecedented journey,” Hurts said. “There have been ups and downs, highs and lows. But it’s been a fun ride.”

The ride may be just beginning for the 26-year-old.

“It’s always the beginning until it’s the end. And I’m a long way from the end,” he said.

–By Les East, Field Level Media

Jan 26, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) and running back Saquon Barkley (26) warm up before the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Different roster, different outcome? Eagles tout newcomers’ experience

Posted on | by Field Level Media

NEW ORLEANS — It was just two years ago that the Philadelphia Eagles were last in the Super Bowl.

That experience in a 38-35 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs was helpful to the many players who will face the Chiefs again in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday at the Caesars Superdome.

But the differences between that Eagles team and this Eagles team are greater than they might appear from the outside.

“Every team is different,” Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts said Thursday. “Every season requires a different version of each individual player. We’ve got a ton of different players on our team. We’ve got a lot of young players starting and playing pivotal roles. You just have to navigate that and find your way as a team for that year.”

The Eagles have navigated this season quite well, especially after a 2-2 start, winning 15 of their last 16 games.

“We’ve been able to play disciplined ball,” Hurts said. “We’ve been able to play ball and be on the same page and find ways to win.”

Philadelphia’s offensive identity has evolved since the team’s last Super Bowl with the addition of running back Saquon Barkley, who debuted with a 2,000-yard rushing season in 2024. The effectiveness of the running game helped Hurts finish fifth in the NFL with a career-best passer rating of 103.7.

“He’s a great passer and reads the defense great,” head coach Nick Sirianni said of Hurts. “And then he has this ability that, when something breaks down, to make big plays happen that way as well. He just knows how to win.”

Sirianni was asked about key Eagles that weren’t on the last Super Bowl team, such as first-year free-agent acquisitions in Barkley (Giants) and linebacker Zach Baun (Saints), as well as two rookie draft choices starting in the secondary — cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (first-round pick from Toledo) and nickelback Cooper DeJean (second-rounder from Iowa).

The coach explained that the term “big game” is relative.

“You tell Cooper DeJean that the Iowa-Iowa State game is not a big game,” Sirianni said. “Maybe to the outside world it’s not as big as the Super Bowl, but in that moment for Cooper it is. It’s what the player feels in his heart at that particular moment.”

Toledo’s biggest rival didn’t come to Sirianni as easily as Iowa’s did, but he finally came up with Kent State and Akron as examples.

“So these guys have big-game experience,” Sirianni said. “They’re not rookies anymore. They’ve played in so many games and have so many big-game experiences. I know how much these guys put in and how they empty the tank every time they go out and play.”

Hurts said this version of the Eagles has benefited from the closeness of a half dozen defensive players that were college teammates at Georgia. Defensive tackles Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, edge rusher Nolan Smith Jr. and linebacker Nakobe Dean are all starters, though Dean suffered a season-ending knee injury in the wild-card playoff victory against the Packers.

Reserve defensive backs Kelee Ringo and Lewis Cine are also former Bulldogs. Davis, Dean and Cine are in their third seasons and Carter, Smith and Ringo are in their second seasons, entering their first Super Bowl with Philadelphia.

Georgia won back-to-back CFP championships in 2021-22.

“I think a big part of (the team’s closeness) has to do with the Georgia background on defense,” Hurts said. “I think that starts with Nakobe Dean and all those guys that were able to play ball in college together and bring their ways to the league. I think that has a big impact on our culture. On defense, how they play, how together they are, and I think that kind of seeps through the team.”

–Les East, Field Level Media

Aug 9, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore looks on as quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) throws before a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Eagles OC, QB on same page before wild-card game

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Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore did not sound like a coach concerned he could be entering the playoffs without his starting quarterback.

Jalen Hurts, in concussion protocol since suffering a head injury Dec. 22 against the Washington Commanders, might be ready to return to practice on Wednesday with a full week of preparation for the postseason rematch with the Green Bay Packers in Philadelphia on Sunday.

Head coach Nick Sirianni was less forthcoming on Monday about the QB depth chart. But Moore said Tuesday that he’s in close communication with Hurts and he has no concern about rust when he gets back on the field.

Because the Eagles had no scheduled practice Monday or Tuesday, the next update on Hurts’ status would come Wednesday with the first practice and injury report of the postseason.

Moore also downplayed any distraction that might arise because of head-coaching interviews with the New Orleans Saints and Jacksonville Jaguars, who submitted formal requests to talk to the Eagles’ first-year coordinator.

“Really, the focus is on the week,” Moore said. “Those things take care of themselves. Obviously, those things only come to teams that usually tend to have success and are doing things well on the field. That’s where your focus is.”

Hurts was a nonparticipant on the injury and practice report last week, but likely would’ve been held out for the regular-season finale even if healthy. Running back Saquon Barkley, wide receivers A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith and offensive linemen Landon Dickerson, Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata were all inactive last week.

Hurts completed 20 of 34 passes for 278 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in the Eagles’ Week 1 win over the Packers in Brazil.

Sirianni would not confirm whether Hurts was at the team facility or able to participate in meetings or film study during the team media session on Monday.

Tanner McKee started the Week 18 win over the New York Giants. Sirianni wouldn’t declare his depth chart at the position or give into questions about whether McKee might’ve moved ahead of Kenny Pickett as the QB2 in Philadelphia.

“We have a lot of confidence in both guys,” he said.

McKee completed 27 of 41 passes for 269 yards with two touchdowns and zero turnovers against the Giants.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) warms up before playing against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts remains in concussion protocol from Dec. 22 hit

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is not yet cleared from concussion protocol and his status for the NFC wild-card playoff matchup with the Green Bay Packers could be up in the air until later this week.

Head coach Nick Sirianni said the Eagles had “no new information” Monday on Hurts, who has been out since suffering the head injury Dec. 22 against the Washington Commanders.

Because the Eagles had no scheduled practice Monday or Tuesday, the next update on Hurts’ status would come Wednesday with the first practice and injury report of the postseason.

Hurts was a nonparticipant on the injury and practice report last week, but likely would’ve been held out for the regular-season finale even if healthy. Running back Saquon Barkley, wide receivers A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith and offensive linemen Landon Dickerson, Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata were all inactive last week.

Hurts completed 20 of 34 passes for 278 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in the Eagles’ Week 1 win over the Packers in Brazil.

Sirianni would not confirm whether Hurts was at the team facility or able to participate in meetings or film study during the team media session on Monday.

Tanner McKee started the Week 18 win over the New York Giants. Sirianni wouldn’t declare his depth chart at the position or give into questions about whether McKee might’ve moved ahead of Kenny Pickett as the QB2 in Philadelphia.

“We have a lot of confidence in both guys,” he said.

McKee completed 27 of 41 passes for 269 yards with two touchdowns and zero turnovers against the Giants.

–Field Level Media

Dec 29, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs off the field after win against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Record chase over: Eagles to rest RB Saquon Barkley

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Pro Football Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson will remain the NFL’s single-season rushing leader for at least one more year.

With the Philadelphia Eagles’ postseason secured, head coach Nick Sirianni told reporters on Wednesday that the team is “gonna rest some guys” in what proves to be a meaningless season finale against the visiting New York Giants. Chiefly among that group is star running back Saquon Barkley, who needed 101 yards to break Dickerson’s hallowed mark of 2,105 yards set with the Los Angeles Rams during a 16-game season in 1984.

Health, however, remains the top priority for the Eagles (13-3), who are locked into the No. 2 seed in the NFC heading into their finale versus the Giants (3-13).

“It’s a very special record that’s been standing for a very long time by a great player,” Sirianni said. “But you try to do what’s best for the team. Our goals are to have success and play good the next game we play.”

Barkley has rushed for at least 101 yards in 11 games this season, including Sunday’s 41-7 rout of the Dallas Cowboys when his 167 yards made him the ninth player in NFL history to reach 2,000.

On Sunday, Barkley told reporters that he will abide by Sirianni’s decision with respect to the season finale against his former team.

“Whatever his decision is, I’m all for it,” Barkley said at the time. “If his mindset is, we’ll go out there and try it, I’ll go out there and try it. If his mindset is, let’s rest and get ready for this run, I’m all for that, too … I came here to do something special. Breaking a record is special, but I want a banner up there. I think we all do.”

In his first season with the Eagles, Barkley leads the NFL in rushing attempts (345), rushing yards (2,005) and yards from scrimmage (2,283).

Also on Wednesday, Sirianni said Jalen Hurts remains in concussion protocol and that a decision has yet to be made on which quarterback will start against the Giants in light of Kenny Pickett’s rib injury. Tanner McKee or Ian Book could get the nod for the Eagles.

Hurts and Pickett were both injured during Philadelphia’s 36-33 loss to the Washington Commanders on Dec. 22. Pickett threw for 143 yards in that contest as well as versus the Cowboys before McKee relieved him and completed 3 of 4 passes for 54 yards and two touchdowns.

The Eagles also opened the 21-day practice window for tight end Dallas Goedert on Wednesday.

Goedert was placed on injured reserve Dec. 7, six days after he sustained a knee injury during the Eagles’ 24-19 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.

Goedert, 29, started all nine games he has played this season and totaled 38 receptions on 46 targets for 441 yards and two touchdowns.

The Eagles selected Goedert in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He has 345 receptions for 4,030 yards and 24 TDs in 92 career games (75 starts).

–Field Level Media