Absent a Hurts injury and McKee pulling a Foles, Hurts will be the QB here through next year at least.

One move, or more accurately one NON-move, the Eagles could make with Hurts is not doing anything that makes him harder to trade in 2027.

2027 is anyway a time, even if things were going well, where your eye has to wander with Hurts. He hasn’t developed in the same way Dak has where he can be a high end player without running. We’ve seen it with Lamar this year - once that edge is lost, the cliff is steep.

1 hour ago, Sack that QB said:

McLane and Dave Murphy his guest made the point that in any offense you're going to have plays like this if you break down the tape of every team and we as outsiders don't know why they ran the play they did or if any calls were made at the line or what the assignments were of each play or if players didn't execute something properly. I think there's some merit to that, but I do think in general when you have an entire offense that has underperformed this season, it's heavily on the coaching as well. Hurts isn't the only one having a crap year. Almost everyone on the offense is.

Which is my stance is more than Sirianni and Hurts need a divorce than it is "It's just the QB!" Whatever the reason, it's pretty clear Hurts either can't win with Sirianni's offense or Sirianni doesn't know how to get Hurts to play QB at a high level anymore.

And one area I'll defend the coaching is I'm hearing a ton of people the past 48 hours screaming the Eagles need to run the ball more. Are people watching the running game? What planet are you living on? Every single run the Eagles had in the 2nd half vs the Chargers was stuffed except for the Barkley trick play TD. This running game BLOWS. There's a reason this coaching staff has opted to throw more when it clearly works against their best interest. Because their running game is so bad they have no choice but to make Hurts throw a ton.

That is the biggest issue on the team this year. That it's clear this coaching staff believes the only way to win with Hurts is ton run the ball a ton and they aren't able to because the running game is so bad. Paging Jeff Stoutland.

Using Calcaterra as a blocker seems to be coaching malpractice. The running game has also been impacted by the lack of QB designed runs. I don't think Stoutland hasn't done enough to design the run game. I would guess his major fault is continuing to use Jurgens and Dickerson when they are not healthy.

We'll see if he plays vs the Eagles.

Just now, Sack that QB said:

We'll see if he plays vs the Eagles.

They'd be really stupid to play him again this year. Risks not only more injury but getting a less optimal draft slot.

Just now, DrPhilly said:

They'd be really stupid to play him again this year. Risks not only more injury but getting a less optimal draft slot.

Correct, but egos are a factor and I'm sure they'll want revenge for the NFCCG and also try to ruin the Eagles season. It would actually be pretty spiteful of them to play him vs the Eagles, then sit him vs Dallas. We'll see what they do.

1 hour ago, eagle45 said:

if you believe this, then we just aren’t going to get on the same page

We don't need to be. I think he has limitations, I don't think he is "very" limited.

2 minutes ago, Sack that QB said:

We'll see if he plays vs the Eagles.

Frankly, they’re Fing idiots for even considering playing him the rest of the year. You’re not making the playoffs. So if anything, you’re throwing him out there for meaningless games. Having a higher draft pick with one of the oldest rosters in the league is better than winning meaningless games with Jaden Daniels, and putting his future/health for next year in danger. With how many injuries he sustained this year they should really be like we wanna just get you rest up and ready to go for 2026.

44 minutes ago, vikas83 said:

Just to put this in context -- we have $22.4 million in 2026 cap space per Spotrac, with Hurts cap number at just under $32 million. Cutting Michael Carter will add just under $10 million, so call it $32 million. Our only other ways to get cap space are (i) extend Jordan Davis and (ii) extend Goedert before the league year starts (unlikely). Call it $40 million to be generous. Well, we need to sign (i) draft picks, (ii) CB2, (iii) edge depth, (iv) a starting safety, (v) OL depth. So we're going to need almost all that money.

Trading Hurts would cause a dead cap hit of just under $65 million, so a net reduction in cap space of $33 million from the baseline. We do that and we basically can't sign enough players. Cutting Hurts would be a dead cap charge of just under $116 million, or a net reduction of $84 million which is impossible to absorb unless we post June 1 him and move the cap hit to 2027 (basically $84 million goes to 2027). Cutting him and designating post June 1 is basically tanking the next 2 years.

Jalen Hurts is the starting QB of the Philadelphia Eagles for the next 2025 and 2026 seasons, absent a DeShaun Watson type fall from grace.

Sadly, you are probably right, but reality also says they have a problem there.

The guy can make a few throws a game, but he isn't a passing QB, which is evident when you look at his record when he throws the ball a certain number of times

He can't make quick decisions. I forget if it was Jaws or someone else today who said the decision to throw a number of passes the other night were late. He's indecisive or can't process quick enough. We all see that watching the game.

He can run in spots, but he has slowed down. If he isn't running he isn't as good of a QB and the offense doesn't look as good with him in there.

He doesn't want to play under center even though the offense looks so much better when he does.

He isn't a passing QB, he is losing a step running, which will only be more problematic as time goes on, and can't make decisions quick. When he has a great OL, great OC, great everything he can manage well. He is a lot like Nick in that regard when he has good coordinators around him. They can ride out the ship until it sinks or get ahead of it even if it means eating money but perhaps getting some picks back to offset it. Some stupid team would be willing to trade for him. Seattle was smart and hopefully the Eagles are as well. Maybe that means after next year, but he's sinking. He's actually one of the three people holding this offense back.

I don't want him to get hurt, but it would be the best thing for the team this year. I don't think McKee is Tom Brady waiting for DB to get injured and start a long HOF career, but the guy might be the spark they need to save the season. Hurts isn't running much, so WTF is the actual point of him starting? He can't throw as well, can't see the field as well, or make decisions as quickly as McKee. He's an anchor at this point. We agree they won't make the move, but it could be fortunate if that decision is taken out of their hands even if it's not ideal. They have the offensive talent to win and the defense is good in a wide open league. Hurts is holding them back.

Regarding Siri, Lurie and Howie; what holds more weight? Two SB appearances in 4 years?? OR, two season collapses in 4 years?? 🧐🧐🧐

Just now, LacesOut said:

Regarding Siri, Lurie and Howie; what holds more weight? Two SB appearances in 4 years?? OR, two season collapses in 4 years?? 🧐🧐🧐

Touche

Two wasted SB window years that didn't have to be because of Nick

If they bring in another QB this offseason with a day 1 or day 2 draft pick, or sign a free agent, wouldn't that tell you they don't think that much of Tanner McKee? He's under contract next year.

Of course if they like a QB in the draft and take a guy on day 3 to see what he's got and develop for the future, that's different. They took McCord this past draft in the 6th.

It will be interesting to see what Nick’s O looks like with another QB at some point in the future. He is surely organizing things around Hurts key capabilities at this point.

1 minute ago, Diehardfan said:

Touche

Two wasted SB window years that didn't have to be because of Nick

They turned out better in 2024 because of 2023. Fangio turned Howie’s elite draft hauls into a well functioning, elite defense and Moore covered up a lot of Sirianni’s BS.

What they have to ask themselves is, will they be better off in 2026 because of 2025? As in, will they just blame nagging injuries and a bad OC on the offense being a joke, and we come back healthy in 2026 with a real OC and higher draft picks than we have any business getting given our talent level.

Just now, Saltpeter said:

They turned out better in 2024 because of 2023. Fangio turned Howie’s elite draft hauls into a well functioning, elite defense and Moore covered up a lot of Sirianni’s BS.

What they have to ask themselves is, will they be better off in 2026 because of 2025? As in, will they just blame nagging injuries and a bad OC on the offense being a joke, and we come back healthy in 2026 with a real OC and higher draft picks than we have any business getting given our talent level.

Honestly, I'm tired of people in the media and on here thinking anything is deserved for winning a SB last year. It's not in sports. Tomorrow isn't guaranteed nor should it be. Nick honestly needs to go. He went to two SBs with teams Howie stacked and good coordinators but also blew two years with stacked teams based on his stubbornness. Get an offensive mind as the HC and stop the BS. Don't blow another year of the window or Vic coaching. If they do that then yeah they'll have a better year. I'm also tired of the Hurts needs everything perfect to win BS. The guy won SB MVP in large part because of the most dominate defense we've seen in a long time. Honestly, one of them was more deserving even if Hurts played well without any pressure on him for most of that game.

8 minutes ago, Diehardfan said:

Sadly, you are probably right, but reality also says they have a problem there.

The guy can make a few throws a game, but he isn't a passing QB, which is evident when you look at his record when he throws the ball a certain number of times

He can't make quick decisions. I forget if it was Jaws or someone else today who said the decision to throw a number of passes the other night were late. He's indecisive or can't process quick enough. We all see that watching the game.

He can run in spots, but he has slowed down. If he isn't running he isn't as good of a QB and the offense doesn't look as good with him in there.

He doesn't want to play under center even though the offense looks so much better when he does.

He isn't a passing QB, he is losing a step running, which will only be more problematic as time goes on, and can't make decisions quick. When he has a great OL, great OC, great everything he can manage well. He is a lot like Nick in that regard when he has good coordinators around him. They can ride out the ship until it sinks or get ahead of it even if it means eating money but perhaps getting some picks back to offset it. Some stupid team would be willing to trade for him. Seattle was smart and hopefully the Eagles are as well. Maybe that means after next year, but he's sinking. He's actually one of the three people holding this offense back.

I don't want him to get hurt, but it would be the best thing for the team this year. I don't think McKee is Tom Brady waiting for DB to get injured and start a long HOF career, but the guy might be the spark they need to save the season. Hurts isn't running much, so WTF is the actual point of him starting? He can't throw as well, can't see the field as well, or make decisions as quickly as McKee. He's an anchor at this point. We agree they won't make the move, but it could be fortunate if that decision is taken out of their hands even if it's not ideal. They have the offensive talent to win and the defense is good in a wide open league. Hurts is holding them back.

As vikas said, they're not going to bench him. I thought they should have in the Bears game, or at halftime of the Chargers to just sit him, it wasn't his day. See if McKee can provide a spark. Now, there's no way they do it against the 2-11 Raiders, the Commies are on life support those should be 3 wins. The Bills will be a loss unless they make some big changes and don't hurt themselves.

Benching Hurts going forward just isn't going to happen. If it was going to, halftime of the Chargers game was the opportune time. With his contract there will be no change at QB next season and probably 2027 as well. Repeating over and over that he's not a top passer is just restating what everyone knows. If his contract were different, a trade would be more realistic. But it's not. So what is realistic to happen?

Change the OC. They should have never promoted a guy who's never called plays, and it shows. There are other problems with the offense that many people point out, that have nothing to do with Hurts. Steichen, Moore and yes even Johnson have been better OCs. Patullo is the worst OC they've had under Sirianni and it shows. You know how QB coaches and OCs get promoted because of the work they did with QBs? So everyone recognizes the impact a coach has on a QB but when the OC sucks, we only blame the QB? The same QB who had more success under other OCs? That doesn't make sense.

Even currently with Patullo they could:

• Get the play call in faster, giving the offense more time to settle, and Jalen and the line to review what the defense is showing, and allow time for audibles

• Stop using Calcaterra, use Latu on run plays who is more successful. If you're going to be predictable, at least use someone who's better at it

• More runs to the outside like they did against the Chargers

• Stop putting O linemen on the field who are too hobbled to do their job effectively. Healthy Toth is better than liability Jurgens (who I like, he just needs to be healthy)

• Focus on the mental mistakes of false starts, holds and other penalties, those are fixable

• Give more carries to Tank Bigsby

• Utilize better motion and receiver routes that aren't predictable and help Jalen out via scheme

• Run more plays under center, which has proven to be more successful ("Jalen doesn't like it" well then be in charge as the coach)

• Special teams returns putting the offense in better field position. Covey hopefully helps that, he has already

• Stop calling pass plays that are thrown behind the 1st down marker on 3rd down, expecting the receiver to get the YAC

• Use more slants to AJ, when they've done that it's been working

There are probably more ideas that can be done right now, with this roster and staff. Those are all coaching issues. Yes, Hurts is going to miss open receivers, he makes bad throws. Other times he makes good throws. As a coach, you coach and scheme to what will make the QB successful. Because the QB isn't going anywhere. And he's had success with other OCs, and even had better performances this season.

Just now, NOTW said:

As vikas said, they're not going to bench him. I thought they should have in the Bears game, or at halftime of the Chargers to just sit him, it wasn't his day. See if McKee can provide a spark. Now, there's no way they do it against the 2-11 Raiders, the Commies are on life support those should be 3 wins. The Bills will be a loss unless they make some big changes and don't hurt themselves.

Benching Hurts going forward just isn't going to happen. If it was going to, halftime of the Chargers game was the opportune time. With his contract there will be no change at QB next season and probably 2027 as well. Repeating over and over that he's not a top passer is just restating what everyone knows. If his contract were different, a trade would be more realistic. But it's not. So what is realistic to happen?

Change the OC. They should have never promoted a guy who's never called plays, and it shows. There are other problems with the offense that many people point out, that have nothing to do with Hurts. Steichen, Moore and yes even Johnson have been better OCs. Patullo is the worst OC they've had under Sirianni and it shows. You know how QB coaches and OCs get promoted because of the work they did with QBs? So everyone recognizes the impact a coach has on a QB but when the OC sucks, we only blame the QB? The same QB who had more success under other OCs? That doesn't make sense.

Even currently with Patullo they could:

• Get the play call in faster, giving the offense more time to settle, and Jalen and the line to review what the defense is showing, and allow time for audibles

• Stop using Calcaterra, use Latu on run plays who is more successful. If you're going to be predictable, at least use someone who's better at it

• More runs to the outside like they did against the Chargers

• Stop putting O linemen on the field who are too hobbled to do their job effectively. Healthy Toth is better than liability Jurgens (who I like, he just needs to be healthy)

• Focus on the mental mistakes of false starts, holds and other penalties, those are fixable

• Give more carries to Tank Bigsby

• Utilize better motion and receiver routes that aren't predictable and help Jalen out via scheme

• Run more plays under center, which has proven to be more successful ("Jalen doesn't like it" well then be in charge as the coach)

• Special teams returns putting the offense in better field position. Covey hopefully helps that, he has already

• Stop calling pass plays that are thrown behind the 1st down marker on 3rd down, expecting the receiver to get the YAC

• Use more slants to AJ, when they've done that it's been working

There are probably more ideas that can be done right now, with this roster and staff. Those are all coaching issues. Yes, Hurts is going to miss open receivers, he makes bad throws. Other times he makes good throws. As a coach, you coach and scheme to what will make the QB successful. Because the QB isn't going anywhere. And he's had success with other OCs, and even had better performances this season.

We agree it won't happen.

We also agree about your suggestions. Don't forget put him under center.

21 minutes ago, NOTW said:

If they bring in another QB this offseason with a day 1 or day 2 draft pick, or sign a free agent, wouldn't that tell you they don't think that much of Tanner McKee? He's under contract next year.

Of course if they like a QB in the draft and take a guy on day 3 to see what he's got and develop for the future, that's different. They took McCord this past draft in the 6th.

Have you watched Tanner play? It is a small sample size but he looks like his ceiling could be elite with his skill sets if he fully develops. I would be surprised if they spent a high pick on a QB. I could see a day 3 pick for depth and a back up plan though.

7 minutes ago, NOTW said:

As vikas said, they're not going to bench him. I thought they should have in the Bears game, or at halftime of the Chargers to just sit him, it wasn't his day. See if McKee can provide a spark. Now, there's no way they do it against the 2-11 Raiders, the Commies are on life support those should be 3 wins. The Bills will be a loss unless they make some big changes and don't hurt themselves.

Benching Hurts going forward just isn't going to happen. If it was going to, halftime of the Chargers game was the opportune time. With his contract there will be no change at QB next season and probably 2027 as well. Repeating over and over that he's not a top passer is just restating what everyone knows. If his contract were different, a trade would be more realistic. But it's not. So what is realistic to happen?

Change the OC. They should have never promoted a guy who's never called plays, and it shows. There are other problems with the offense that many people point out, that have nothing to do with Hurts. Steichen, Moore and yes even Johnson have been better OCs. Patullo is the worst OC they've had under Sirianni and it shows. You know how QB coaches and OCs get promoted because of the work they did with QBs? So everyone recognizes the impact a coach has on a QB but when the OC sucks, we only blame the QB? The same QB who had more success under other OCs? That doesn't make sense.

Even currently with Patullo they could:

• Get the play call in faster, giving the offense more time to settle, and Jalen and the line to review what the defense is showing, and allow time for audibles

• Stop using Calcaterra, use Latu on run plays who is more successful. If you're going to be predictable, at least use someone who's better at it

• More runs to the outside like they did against the Chargers

• Stop putting O linemen on the field who are too hobbled to do their job effectively. Healthy Toth is better than liability Jurgens (who I like, he just needs to be healthy)

• Focus on the mental mistakes of false starts, holds and other penalties, those are fixable

• Give more carries to Tank Bigsby

• Utilize better motion and receiver routes that aren't predictable and help Jalen out via scheme

• Run more plays under center, which has proven to be more successful ("Jalen doesn't like it" well then be in charge as the coach)

• Special teams returns putting the offense in better field position. Covey hopefully helps that, he has already

• Stop calling pass plays that are thrown behind the 1st down marker on 3rd down, expecting the receiver to get the YAC

• Use more slants to AJ, when they've done that it's been working

There are probably more ideas that can be done right now, with this roster and staff. Those are all coaching issues. Yes, Hurts is going to miss open receivers, he makes bad throws. Other times he makes good throws. As a coach, you coach and scheme to what will make the QB successful. Because the QB isn't going anywhere. And he's had success with other OCs, and even had better performances this season.

Sad the highly paid coaching staff cant seem to figure this out, smh

47 minutes ago, UK Eagle said:

Its fair to say that Hurts is the starting QB at the beginning of the 2026 season, but may not end that way if thing continue as they have this season. With the out on the horizon for both parties, he'll have some pressure perform if he wants to stay.

I don't think it would get there, nor do I see him leaving. But its possible the natural way of things means it happens, especially if a new contract is demanded from Hurts camp

There are no cap ramifications if Hurts is the #2 QB. Hurts isn't Brady or Mahomes. He can be benched like anybody else. He isn't the whole problem but is certainly a big part. The three best passes he made were to Smith on an anticipation throw and the two long one's to Brown which were dropped as if Brown was touching hot coals. Thanks for nothing AJ. I would not trade McKee in the offseason. I have feeling he will be needed next year. I don't want the Eagles to be like the Phillies where if you pay them you play them.

19 minutes ago, DrPhilly said:

It will be interesting to see what Nick’s O looks like with another QB at some point in the future. He is surely organizing things around Hurts key capabilities at this point.

His prior QBs were already established and successful before him. He took the job knowing Hurts was the QB. Steichen did a good job with him and then left. They evaluated him and signed him to a contract extension and a no trade clause after the 2023 collapse.

The way this will likely go is a new OC in the offseason who has experience calling plays. Even if that guy is from college buy knows how to run an offense and has a feel for in-game decisions it would be better than Patullo. They will try to squeeze what they can out of the offense in this window, especially with a strong defense.

If Hurts has regressed and just isn't it anymore, then when the time comes they'll trade him. At that point, AJ Brown will be gone, the offense will have Smitty and a TE on a rookie deal and find a new QB to grow with, while the salary cap shifts toward the defensive players they have to re-sign. Some new O linemen as well.

For now with Hurts contract you have to get a coach that gets the most out of the roster.

2 minutes ago, Eagles1960 said:

be like the Phillies where if you pay them you play them.

You won't have to worrry about heart break again next year if Skubal is indeed headed to the Dodgers. No one is beating them if they land him.

2 minutes ago, Diehardfan said:

Honestly, I'm tired of people in the media and on here thinking anything is deserved for winning a SB last year. It's not in sports. Tomorrow isn't guaranteed nor should it be. Nick honestly needs to go. He went to two SBs with teams Howie stacked and good coordinators but also blew two years with stacked teams based on his stubbornness. Get an offensive mind as the HC and stop the BS. Don't blow another year of the window or Vic coaching. If they do that then yeah they'll have a better year. I'm also tired of the Hurts needs everything perfect to win BS. The guy won SB MVP in large part because of the most dominate defense we've seen in a long time. Honestly, one of them was more deserving even if Hurts played well without any pressure on him for most of that game.

I think 2025 is different than 2023. In 2023, we had a lot of young talent on defense, but also a lot of gaps. Don’t think that was a SB team. But you compounded that with Desai/Patricia flaming out, and it kinda provided the perfect storm for us to land Quinyon/Dejean. The studs they already had got better, and we added 2 more plus Baun.

This 2025 season to me is definitely squandered. I don’t know if Howie/Lurie will view it the way I laid out above - my guess is, they will. But to me, regardless of wear and nagging injuries, this offense with these players has no business being THIS bad. Tyler Steen is no Nicholas Morrow. Fred Johnson is no 2023 James Bradberry. And they’re wasting a healthy defense that is somehow keeping them in every game.

So yeah, I’d probably fire Sirianni, if for no other reason than putting himself above the team by hiring Patullo instead of a real OC. Because this really was a wasted season during a legit SB window, unlike before.

1 hour ago, Miami said:

Was just looking at that. Maybe trading him after the 2026 season is possible if need be? Payments are option bonuses so presumably would travel to the other team. Dead money is much lower.

If you trade him after next year, but before paying his 2027 option bonus, it is $84mm in dead money, and $42 million extra on top of his $42 million cap hit for 2027. The issue becomes he only has $22 million of guaranteed comp for 2027 and then nothing for 2028, so anyone trading for him likely needs to extend him or they won't give up any real value.

1 hour ago, e-a-g-l-e-s eagles! said:

Just to help illustrate your point with spottrac. He’s here in 2026 unless he demands a trade (maybe happens if they did bench him) and then it’s impossible to move without ruining their cap situation. 2027 more ability to do it but still $45 mil dead money hit and a 2.9ish cap hit unless done after June 1 (although i believe $22 mil of 2027 becomes guaranteed in the 3rd day of the 2026 league year )

Spotrac gets the numbers wrong because of the rolling guarantees that kick in. Here are the numbers if he is moved at the beginning of 2027.