Forget the doubts about Jalen Hurts losing his edge. A team source told Bleeding Green Nation that Hurts looks “quicker and faster” right now. That observation cuts through the noise of last season’s struggles. The Eagles need their quarterback to be a weapon on the ground again, and early signs point in the right direction.
The Rushing Numbers Tell a Story
Hurts was a force on the ground for three straight years. According to Bleeding Green Nation, from 2021 through 2024 he posted an average close to 700 rushing yards each season. That production dipped hard last year when he only had 421 yards. The team cannot win a championship if the running game disappears. Hurts knows this better than anyone.
The specifics of the under-center offense have been reinforced by him. Mannion noticed that Hurts honed in on footwork very early in the offseason. This focus on mechanics is what builds trust between a QB and his line. “Everything that we do is built on trust, and you get that through practice, you get that through meeting films, you get that through walkthroughs that you consistently do,” Hurts said.
Sean Mannion Loves the Tush Push
New offensive coordinator Sean Mannion has already weighed in on the team’s most famous play. He told reporters the “tush push” play is “extremely effective,” according to Bleeding Green Nation. This is huge news for a team that relies on short-yardage gains. If the system works, Hurts gets more freedom to operate.
Hurts says he feels as if he’s also making strides in Mannion’s passing game. He noted that it’s the same as last year regarding the core approach. He wants to play with his feet and sweep through his reads. “In the end, you’re still playing the position, and you want to play the position the same way — play with your feet, sweep through your reads, know exactly where you’re supposed to go with the ball,” Hurts said.
Speed and Awareness Are Key
The goal is to get back to the dual-threat form fans love. Whether facing a man alert or a signal down the field, Hurts stressed the importance of knowing alert locations to play at speed. Sequencing and synchronizing feet with eyes are what he thinks matter most. “But that is more so just understanding what you’re doing, what we’re trying to attack, being on the same page and playing each play,” he added.
When a quarterback feels “extremely confident in myself right now,” as Hurts stated, the offense wakes up. The combination of his improved speed and Mannion’s system could be dangerous. The Eagles are watching closely to see if this early camp energy translates to the regular season.
Sources: Bleeding Green Nation (SBN Eagles), ESPN Top
