Once again, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is learning a new offensive system.
After Kevin Patullo was fired following the Birds’ less than stellar season, former Green Bay Packers assistant Sean Mannion has stepped into the offensive coordinator role. While the terminology, coaching points and overall philosophy may change from coordinator to coordinator, Hurts believes the foundation built during OTA’s and mandatory minicamp has put the offense in a strong position heading into training camp.
“I thought it was a really good Spring,” Hurts said. “Being able to onboard another new system, and put everything together, lay the foundation, so I’m encouraged by that. I’m encouraged by the work that we were able to put in. We got a fun summer ahead of us and it’ll be a fun training camp, being able to get back on the grass.”
For Hurts, adapting to change has become a yearly challenge. Since becoming Philadelphia’s starting quarterback, he has worked with multiple offensive coordinators and quarterback coaches, each bringing a different perspective and teaching style.
The Eagles quarterback acknowledged that he’s beginning to grow more comfortable within Mannion’s system but emphasized that comfort only comes through repetition and understanding the intent behind what coaches are asking players to do.
“I think it’s been the same for me every year when it comes to coaching points, intention, vision — you know, what are we really trying to drive and what we’re doing?” Hurts explained. “And so, just really having a listening ear, asking questions, getting answers, going out there and repping it, feeling it, seeing different looks, seeing different coverages, knowing what to adjust to with the field.”
The learning process extends beyond simply memorizing plays. Hurts noted that every offensive coordinator and quarterback coach brings their own approach, forcing him to constantly evolve while maintaining consistency on the field.
“So obviously a different voice, different perspective of the game, and every OC has added their own flavor on it,” Hurts said. “And, I think even another component is quarterback coach, too, because that’s something that’s changed along with the play-caller. So, just to be able to adjust to all those things, filter it out, figure it out as time goes.”
That adaptability has been one of Hurts’ greatest strengths throughout his career. Whether it was working under Shane Steichen, Brian Johnson, Kellen Moore, Kevin Patullo or now Mannion, Hurts has consistently found ways to operate at a high level regardless of who is calling plays.
The Eagles will enter training camp with significant expectations once again, but there are also storylines surrounding the roster beyond the installation of a new offense. Gone is AJ Brown, who was finally traded to New England after months of speculation, and “in” is DeVonta Smith, first-round pick Makai Lemon, Mackey Award winning tight end Eli Stowers, and a host of other offensive weapons.
For now, Hurts appears focused on the process. The foundation has been laid, the system is beginning to take shape, and the quarterback believes the Eagles are heading into the summer with momentum.
“We got a fun summer ahead of us,” Hurts said, “and it’ll be a fun training camp.”
