Is Jalen Hurts Worth His New Record-Setting Extension?

Jalen Hurts now owns the richest contract in the NFL in terms of annual average value. The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback agreed to a five-year, $255 million contract extension, erasing any doubt of his status as the team’s starting play-caller for the coming years.

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NFL Network national insider Ian Rapoport reported that Hurts’ massive contract includes $179.304 million in guarantees and a no-trade clause. The guarantees include $110 million in signing and a $23.294 million signing bonus.

However, the deal will commence in 2024 because Hurts will be playing the 2023 season under the final year of his four-year, $6 million rookie contract.

QB Market After Jalen Hurts Deal

The $51 million AAV increases the quarterback market ceiling, previously held by four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers’ three-year, $150 million deal. Hurts had the leverage in the negotiations after leading the Eagles to a stint in Super Bowl LVII. They did lose that game to the Kansas City Chiefs, but it was evident that Philadelphia has their man behind center for the coming seasons.

Jalen Hurts Got What The Market Dictated

There’s a good chance that Hurts will become an MVP candidate or winner in the next few years. His best years are in front of him and the Eagles would like to be on that ride. If Aaron Rodgers got his deal because of what he has done in his legendary career, Hurts became the highest-paid player at the QB position because he could bring so much more to the table.

While he is just getting started, he already had the Eagles organization looking at a rosy future. He finished his third NFL season with 3,701 passing yards, 760 rushing yards, 22 passing touchdowns, and 13 rushing scores (first among quarterbacks).

Those numbers earned him a Pro Bowl and a Second Team All-Pro nod. His versatility perfectly fits the Eagles’ offensive philosophy of establishing the run and maximizing one of the best offensive lines in the league.

Having Hurts receiving the snaps gives Philadelphia limitless ways to attack defenses. He can hit A.J. Brown or DeVonta Smith with deep passes. The former Oklahoma standout can also serve as a running threat, especially if Rashaad Penny continues to have difficulties in staying healthy. Hurts has also manifested an elite ability to read defenses and improvise if the pocket collapses.

Being a dual threat allowed him to deliver the third-most fantasy points among quarterbacks last season. Hurts finished behind Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen with 378.04 points, per NFL Fantasy. These arguments solidify the proof that Jalen Hurts deserves the contract he will soon enjoy.

However, it comes with a huge responsibility given that he has all the offensive personnel around him to succeed. The departures on the defense like C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Marcus Epps, and Javon Hargrave also must be factored in. Still, anything less than an NFC Championship Game could be considered a failure for a highly talented team.

The Eagles are playing their cards right. Likewise, it’s scary to think that they have enough draft capital to add more weapons on offense. But Hurts must now deliver after the huge financial investment in him. The 2022 season might have been a sneak peek of the main show he is about to start.

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