![[Original size] DJ's Sports Show.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/75856f_7f4ffe7f83c14d209a701ef21c02c17d~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_120,h_120,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/%5BOriginal%20size%5D%20DJ's%20Sports%20Show.png)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Big news dropped on Monday, as it was reported that the Philadelphia Eagles have signed their star quarterback Jalen Hurts to the largest contract extension in NFL History worth up to five years, $255 million with $180 million being guaranteed, according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
In terms of AAV (Average Annual Value) Hurts deal of $51 million a year is the largest in league history. While it’s not the largest in terms of guaranteed money, that goes to the Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. Hurts's contract still beats Carson Wentz’s $128 million deal he signed with the organization in June of 2019 with $66 million guaranteed at signing to Hurts’s 110, and $108 million practically guaranteed to Hurts’s $180 million according to Spotrac.
Hurts’s deal comes with a signing bonus of $23.2 million. This looks like a great investment for both parties as the salary cap continues to increase each season, set to hit an all-time record of $224.8 million in 2023. This also is a great deal for the Eagles as Hurts has continued to improve his game each and every season.
The deal allows the Eagles to still obtain quality players via free agency or trade since Hurts’ deal is franchise friendly, here is the Eagles' year-by-year salary cap hits through 2026 after Hurts’s deal as reported by ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter:
2023: $6.15 million
2024: $13.56 million
2025: $21.77 million
2026: $31.77 million
The Eagles' star quarterbacks deal includes a no-trade clause, the first in franchise history, and is signed through the 2028 season, meaning he won’t be an unrestricted free agent until 2029 when he’ll turn 31.
Hurts, 24, is coming off an MVP-level season that saw him throw for 3,701 yards with 22 touchdowns to six interceptions while rushing for 760 yards and 13 scores en route to leading the Eagles to a Super Bowl appearance in just his third season.
Hurts improved his throwing mechanics exponentially this season, improving his QBR to 66.4 (4th in the league) from 54.6 (19th) in 2021-22 and his completion percentage from 61.3% in 2021-22 (26th) to 66.5% (11th).
His 43 touchdowns surpassed former Eagles legend, Donovan McNabb for the most in a single season in franchise history. It’s been incredible to watch Hurts’s ascension as one of the best quarterbacks in the league since his entrance out of Alabama in 2020 where he got benched during a national title game in favor of now Miami Dolphins quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, who would also enter the NFL that same season.
\
Hurts is coming off a tremendous Super Bowl performance against the Kansas City Chiefs that saw him rack up 374 total yards and four touchdowns but a crucial turnover that led to a 38-35 loss to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
Since being selected as the 53rd overall pick in 2020, Hurts has been successful as a starter with a 23-11 record which includes a 14-1 mark last season.
Can he continue his elevation as one of the best quarterbacks in the league? Can he lead the Eagles to a championship one day and help them take that next step after being so close to tasting the champagne? We will have to wait to see, but don’t put anything past the former Alabama native, as Hurts has shown he’s willing to put the necessary work in to elevate his game season by season, expect him to continue catapulting his game into a new stratosphere come the fall of 2023.
Comments