Eagles QB Jalen Hurts Defended Amid NFL Top Quarterback Debate

Jalen Hurts, the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback and Super Bowl MVP, remains a polarizing figure in the NFL, with debates about his ranking among the league's top quarterbacks intensifying. Former MVP Cam Newton has criticized Hurts, arguing that the talent around him inflates his value and that he doesn’t need to play elite to win with the Eagles' strong supporting cast. This perspective has been met with strong defenses from analysts and former players like Ryan Clark and Torrey Smith, who emphasize Hurts' ability to perform in clutch moments and dismiss the notion that his success is merely a product of his team's talent. Despite the ongoing debate, Hurts himself remains focused on improving, showing little interest in the quarterback ranking conversations. ESPN rankings placed Hurts at No. 9, while some analysts, including Dan Orlovsky and Donovan McNabb, predict Hurts will continue to ascend, especially with additional offensive freedom and personnel changes. The discourse highlights a broader issue in sports media about balancing performance critique with personal relationships, as Cam Newton has called for more rational debate free from personal attacks.