Jalen Hurts and the modern dual-threat QB
Jalen Hurts has been an offensive nightmare all season. Hurts creates a mismatch advantage for the Philadelphia Eagles offense as they carry an extra runner in the backfield that has the potential to dart past the line of scrimmage like a star running back for a huge gain or complete a gunslinger-type pass down the field.
For a franchise getting, the QB right changes the entire atmosphere of the organization. The Eagles have joined other franchises, such as the Buffalo Bills and the Baltimore Ravens who are taking advantage of the current dual-threat talent boom to turn into contenders.
Jalen Hurts and the Eagles playmaker-rich offense
Second-year head coach Nick Sirianni has constructed an offense that punishes defenses in multiple ways through the pass and ground game. Their offensive line excels at both run and pass blocking. The Eagles offense makes plays scripted and unscripted at high levels due to the amount of playmakers loading the offensive side.
Jalen Hurts and running back Miles Sanders provide a power run game that sets up a possession-based passing game. Through this, the Eagles dominate the short and intermediate zones with their running threat and elite contested catch receivers. Hurts has made tremendous leaps in the consistency of his passing game and now, in a traditional game manager fashion, routinely spreads it around to the multiple playmakers on offense.
Jalen Hurts vs. the Green Bay Packers: The modern dual-threat performance
Jalen Hurts diced up the #Packers on Sunday on third down and always seemed one step ahead with his arm and his legs. A few of my favorite reps from the #FlyEaglesFly offense in this game.. https://t.co/3eg7nn8oMp
Passing Yards: 153
Pass Att: 28
Pass Cmp%: 57.14%
Rush Yards:157
Carries: 17 Att
Yards Per Carry: 9.24
Int: 0
Fumble: 1
The Eagles played the game with two running threats the Packers couldn’t contain. This offensive mismatch with Jalen Hurts as the second disguised runner helped the offensive line, who run block really well for a creative run game. While the defense was struggling to stop the run threat, Hurts was spreading the ball over the top to playmakers DaVonta Smith, A.J. Brown and Quez Watkins.
The Packers defense tried putting pressure on Hurts, but the line held up well. Even when the Packers were able to get pressure on Hurts, he just darted out of the pocket for multiple gains and passes off script. As a former Alabama QB under Nick Saban, Hurts understands how costly turnovers can be and rarely throws interceptable passes.
The worst offenses look clunky and have no consistency in how they make plays as they bring the ball up the field. The Eagles made use of fake runs from both Sanders/Gainwell to set up Hurts rush/pass attempts in a very fluid and routine way that the Packers defense struggled with all night. There is an old saying that goes “One can not serve two masters at once”. The Packers defense had one eye on the run game and one on the pass and failed to get a hand on either all night. Nick Sirriani and OC Shane Steichen use this misdirection to buy receivers extra time and space to make plays.
On the opposite end of this offensive masterclass was Aaron Rodgers putting up what would have been the ideal performance of a traditional pocket passer QB making several tough throws despite immense pressure from the Eagles defensive line. Rodgers' limitations in this game show how the position has changed over the years. When the pass was not there, Rodgers was a sitting duck for the Eagles pass rush struggling to escape pressure or make plays with his legs. The Eagles have what seems like a permanent run threat while the Packers run game is non-existent if Rodgers is forced to rush.
TheJalen Hurts' existing limiations and the modern dual-threat QB
Hurts development as a passer is tied to the Eagles' investment in playmakers, offensive coaches and a safe passing scheme. Hurts does not put the ball in danger and rarely takes chance throws down the field. This leads to their passing game not being as threatening as their running game.
It’s become really common to see Hurts run in a touchdown in the endzone. While this powerback skill is appreciated and endears him to the offensive line, it masks Jalen Hurts' weakness to make tight window throws. The end zone requires risky passes Jalen Hurts will not throw in fear of interceptions. If a team is capable of stopping the Eagles dominant run game and forcing Hurts outside his routine comfort throws to force turnovers, the Eagles offense could be stopped. This will be a difficult task for any defense, but it may be the only way to stop such an explosive/creative offense.
Dual threat QBs will always lack the extra polish pocket passers have to their throws. Their footwork will be off. They will run too early on some plays, giving up on the pass and missing throws they should make. This is all payoff for the permanent run threat they provide the offense. Jalen Hurts will never be the silky passer that Patrick Mahomes is, but that does not stop the Eagles offense from being just as explosive.