The scene was electric. Coach Nick Sirianni wasn’t just delivering a postgame speech; he was on a mission, making his case with relentless passion. He pounded the podium once, twice—six times in total. Each thud punctuated his argument, making it impossible to ignore. Sirianni wasn’t just talking; he was preaching. His subject? Jalen Hurts, the Eagles quarterback, and why he deserves to be the NFL’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).
“He was frigging on!” Sirianni exclaimed. Pound. “He was on with how he managed the game in the fourth quarter.” Pound. “He was on about the runs that he made.” Pound. “He was on in the scrambles he made.” Pound. “He was on in the checks that he made.” Pound. “He was on in the third-down conversions that we hit.” Light pound. The intensity waned, but the message was loud and clear.
Despite the emphatic delivery, the response from fans and analysts alike was more skeptical. Sirianni’s enthusiasm? Unquestionable. The merit of Hurts’ MVP candidacy? Still up for debate.
The stats from the Eagles’ 24-19 win against the Ravens don’t exactly scream MVP. Hurts finished the game with modest numbers: 11 completions on 19 attempts, 118 passing yards, one touchdown through the air, and another on the ground. Sure, he had a respectable passer rating of 93.8, but these aren’t the kind of figures that typically headline MVP discussions.
What set Hurts apart, though, wasn’t flashy plays or gaudy numbers—it was his control. His poise during the game’s most crucial moments, especially in the final drive, was a masterclass in game management. The Eagles’ last possession was an 11-play marathon that chewed up 5:08 of clock, ending with a critical 35-yard field goal. This wasn’t just good football; it was strategic brilliance.
Coach Sirianni couldn’t contain his admiration. “I just can’t say enough good things about how Jalen managed that four-minute offense,” he gushed. Sirianni dismissed any notion that Hurts was merely a game manager, labeling such talk as “bull—.” For the coach, Hurts’ value goes far beyond stats. It’s about the runs he made at the right time, the smart checks to alternate plays, and his uncanny ability to stay cool under pressure.
Even Hurts, known for his humility, downplayed the praise. “Everyone who plays the position is asked to manage the game, to an extent,” he said, brushing off the MVP chatter. His focus, he insisted, remains solely on winning.
But what about the broader context? The Eagles are riding high on an eight-game winning streak post-bye, thanks in large part to Hurts’ improved decision-making. Over this stretch, he’s posted a passer rating of 114.1 while averaging 21.5 attempts and 195.5 passing yards per game. The most telling stat? Just two turnovers against 20 total touchdowns (10 passing, 10 rushing). It’s a far cry from the turnover-prone quarterback of 2023, who led the league with 26 giveaways.
This evolution is what Sirianni sees as MVP-worthy. “Jalen Hurts deserves to be in the MVP consideration because of how clean of football he’s playing,” Sirianni argued. However, even his impassioned case may not sway voters. The league’s MVP often goes to the most electrifying player, not necessarily the most efficient.
Hurts isn’t alone in the spotlight. Saquon Barkley, the Eagles’ standout running back, has also been a game-changer. Sirianni didn’t shy away from praising Barkley’s contributions, calling for his inclusion in MVP talks as well. Barkley’s impact, both on the ground and as a leader, has been pivotal to the Eagles’ success.
Yet, the reality is that the MVP award has become a quarterback-dominated honor. Since Adrian Peterson’s win in 2012, no running back has taken home the trophy. This season, quarterbacks like Buffalo’s Josh Allen, Detroit’s Jared Goff, and Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes are the front-runners. Allen, in particular, delivered a show-stopping moment in a snowstorm, completing a lateral-assisted touchdown that will likely live in highlight reels for years. Hurts, for all his growth, lacks that kind of “MVP moment” in his 2024 resume.
The general perception of Hurts is complicated. Critics argue that he’s benefiting from an elite supporting cast: Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and one of the best offensive lines in Eagles history. While there’s truth to this, it’s also reductive. Hurts’ real growth lies in his ability to recognize his limitations. Gone are the reckless plays and careless turnovers of the past. In their place is a quarterback who prioritizes discretion over heroics, making decisions that prioritize the team’s success over his personal stats.
“Discretion has its own sort of heroism,” one analyst noted. And while discretion doesn’t usually win MVP trophies, it does win games—eight straight, to be exact.
Sirianni’s growth as a coach has also been a key factor in the Eagles’ success. Hurts himself acknowledged this, albeit with a hint of guarded candor. “He’s been growing. That’s the biggest thing,” Hurts said, noting Sirianni’s improved patience and adaptability. This evolution has been crucial, especially after a rocky start to the season that saw tensions rise between Sirianni and the team.
Reports of a frosty relationship between Sirianni and Hurts earlier in the year only add to the intrigue. The two seem to have found common ground, a partnership that’s paying dividends on the field.
The Eagles’ journey isn’t just about one player or one coach—it’s a collective effort. As the team eyes a potential Super Bowl run, the focus remains on sustaining their momentum. From Russell Wilson’s resurgence in Pittsburgh to the Vikings’ thrilling last-minute win over the Cardinals, the NFL landscape is as competitive as ever. For the Eagles, the path forward will require continued discipline, strategic brilliance, and, yes, a little bit of that Sirianni fire.
Jalen Hurts may not be the MVP this season, but his transformation—marked by discretion, leadership, and a refusal to quit—deserves recognition. Sometimes, the most valuable players aren’t the ones making the highlight reels. Sometimes, they’re the ones pounding the podium, figuratively or literally, when it matters most.
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