Jalen Hurts is no stranger to championship moments, whether it’s in the NFL or during his college football days. The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback has had a remarkable journey, filled with highs, heartbreaks, and redemption arcs that make his story even more compelling. As Super Bowl 59 approaches, all eyes are on Hurts, who is set to make his fourth championship start—a feat that few quarterbacks can claim.
But here’s the ironic twist: the only championship game he’s won so far is the one he didn’t finish. Back in the 2018 National Championship Game, Hurts, then the starter for Alabama, was pulled at halftime in favor of Tua Tagovailoa. The move by legendary coach Nick Saban shocked many, but it paid off as Tagovailoa led the team to an incredible overtime victory against Georgia. That moment could’ve shattered Hurts, but instead, it fueled his resilience and determination.
His first championship appearance came a year earlier when, as a true freshman, he nearly led Alabama to victory against Clemson. Hurts even had what could have been a game-winning rushing touchdown, but Deshaun Watson responded with a last-second touchdown pass to Hunter Renfrow, sealing Alabama’s fate in a heartbreaking loss.
Fast forward to his NFL career, and the trend continued. In Super Bowl 57, Hurts put on a spectacular performance against the Kansas City Chiefs, throwing for a total of four touchdowns and displaying elite playmaking ability. However, one costly fumble—returned for a touchdown—proved to be a defining moment as the Eagles fell in a dramatic 38-35 showdown.
Now, Hurts is back in the Super Bowl, and history is on the line. He has a rare opportunity to accomplish something no quarterback in NFL history has ever done before: defeat the same team that previously beat him in a Super Bowl. Only a handful of quarterbacks, including Len Dawson, Bob Griese, and John Elway, have managed to win a Super Bowl after losing their first appearance. If Hurts can pull it off, his legacy will be cemented among the game’s greats.
The Rise of Jalen Hurts: From Backup to Franchise Leader
It’s been quite the journey for Hurts, who wasn’t always seen as a future franchise quarterback. After transferring to the University of Oklahoma for his final college season, he showed his potential as a dual-threat quarterback, earning himself a second-round selection in the NFL Draft. Initially, he served as Carson Wentz’s backup in Philadelphia, but when given the chance to start, he never looked back.
Since taking over as the Eagles’ starter, Hurts has consistently led his team to the playoffs. In just his fourth full season as the starter, he’s already the only quarterback in Eagles history to start in multiple Super Bowls. His dynamic ability to both pass and run has made him one of the most difficult players to defend, particularly with Philadelphia’s signature ‘Tush Push’—a nearly unstoppable short-yardage play that has become a staple of their offense.
However, despite his success, critics still question whether Hurts is among the elite quarterbacks. Unlike some of his peers, the Eagles' offense isn’t built on a high-volume passing attack, even with top-tier wide receivers like A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Hurts has also been known to take bad sacks and turn the ball over at inopportune times. But one thing that can’t be denied? He’s a winner.
Super Bowl 59: A Chance for Redemption
As the biggest game of the season kicked off, the Chiefs won the toss and deferred, giving Hurts the ball to start the game. In their previous Super Bowl meeting, he led the Eagles to an opening drive touchdown. This time, he was on pace to do the same until an offensive pass interference call on A.J. Brown erased a huge 32-yard gain into the red zone. What should have been a brilliant opening drive instead turned into a punt after a failed 4th and 12 attempt.
If one questionable call hurt the Eagles, another controversial penalty worked in their favor. On third down, Hurts overthrew tight end Dallas Goedert, seemingly forcing Philadelphia to settle for a field goal attempt. But a roughing the passer penalty on Trent McDuffie gifted them a fresh set of downs. Hurts quickly capitalized, delivering a beautiful sideline throw to Jahan Dotson, who was initially ruled to have scored before replay confirmed he was down at the 1-yard line. Instead of a passing touchdown, Hurts used the ‘Tush Push’ to power into the end zone for the first score of the game.
Second Quarter: The Highs and Lows of a Championship Battle
Hurts started off strong, completing seven of his first eight passes for 79 yards and a rushing touchdown. But then, he made his first major mistake. Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton blitzed, forcing Hurts into an off-balance throw that was intercepted by safety Bryan Cook. It was a poor decision, especially considering the Eagles were in field goal range and had a chance to go up by double digits.
Fortunately for Philadelphia, the Chiefs failed to capitalize on the turnover, punting after a quick three-and-out. Hurts bounced back in style, throwing a perfect back-shoulder pass to A.J. Brown for a huge gain. Brown, who had been quiet since his earlier OPI penalty, finally made his mark on the game.
Then came another momentum shift. Cooper DeJean’s pick-six gave the Eagles a comfortable lead, and moments later, Patrick Mahomes threw yet another interception, setting up the Eagles deep in Kansas City territory. Hurts wasted no time making Mahomes pay for his mistake, hitting Brown on a simple crossing route for another touchdown. By halftime, the Eagles were in full control, leading 24-0—a scoreline that Mahomes had never experienced before in his playoff career.
At the break, Hurts had put up impressive numbers: 11 completions on 15 attempts for 123 yards, two total touchdowns (one rushing, one passing), and just one interception. More importantly, he was outplaying Mahomes on the biggest stage.
What’s Next? Can Hurts Finish the Job?
With the second half still to come, the question remains: will Hurts finally get his long-awaited championship victory? The Chiefs have proven time and time again that they can mount incredible comebacks, and Mahomes isn’t one to go down without a fight. But if Hurts can keep his composure and maintain his early dominance, he could be on the verge of rewriting history.
For a quarterback who’s faced adversity at every stage of his career, this moment could define his legacy. Will he become a Super Bowl champion, silencing his doubters once and for all? Or will history repeat itself? The second half will provide all the answers.
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