The weight of expectations can be a heavy burden, especially when you’re the face of an NFL franchise like Jalen Hurts with the Philadelphia Eagles. After an electrifying 2022 campaign that saw the young quarterback lead the Birds to the Super Bowl and finish as the runner-up for MVP, his inconsistent play and leadership struggles during a second-half collapse last season have raised serious questions about his future with the franchise.

Enter former NFL quarterback Shaun King, who didn’t mince words The Coach JB Show when assessing Hurts’ precarious situation. “Well, they’ve already paid him, so he’s on the pot. He got a couple more shits left before they tell him to get out of the bathroom, right?” King’s blunt assessment cuts to the heart of the matter–despite the Eagles’ massive $255 million investment in Hurts last April, the clock may be ticking for the 25-year-old signal-caller.

King’s critique didn’t stop there. He labeled Hurts “the rawest of the guys,” a quarterback who’s “not a natural thrower of the football,” even as he acknowledged the young star’s intelligence, mental toughness, and impressive arm talent. These comments underscore the lingering doubts surrounding Hurts’ ability to take that next step and establish himself as a true franchise player.

Yet, King also expressed sympathy for the tumultuous journey Hurts has endured, noting the significant challenge of adapting to a new offensive coordinator for the third straight year. “He’s had three coordinators in three years,” King remarked, alluding to the instability that could hinder any quarterback’s development. It’s a reality that Hurts must navigate as he prepares to work under the tutelage of new OC Kellen Moore.

King draws a parallel to golf legend Tiger Woods, who was willing to overhaul his swing despite already achieving greatness, questioning whether Hurts possesses that same hunger for improvement. “I don’t know if he’ll be receptive to that,” King mused. It’s a pivotal moment for Hurts, one that could very well determine whether he cements his status as the Eagles’ franchise QB or becomes another “what if” story in the City of Brotherly Love.

Kenny Pickett’s emergence adds fuel to the fire for Jalen Hurts

With both the burden of expectations and an ever-changing coordinator, Hurts now has a new headache in the form of Kenny Pickett. The ex-first-round pick who was unceremoniously dropped by the Pittsburgh Steelers following two disappointing seasons appears to have found fresh breath in Philly. Eagles Today journalist Ed Kracz says that during OTAs Pickett had been outperforming the starter with Kracz stating “the backup quarterback looked sharp, sharper than Jalen Hurts, to be honest.”

Pickett does not look likely to replace Hurts as the number-one quarterback unless he gets injured or suffers a major setback. However, his display has caught people’s attention and put pressure on the incumbent. Racioppi, Pickett’s personal QB coach also praised his pupil’s performance. If Hurts stumbles out of the gate, this clamor will only grow louder; thereby setting up for a possible quarterback controversy in Philadelphia.

It’s a scenario that would only compound the immense pressure on Hurts’ shoulders. Not only does he have to contend with external pressures of media scrutiny and fan expectations after a 2023 campaign marred by 15 interceptions and 5 lost fumbles, but now he’s got to keep an eye on the motivated Pickett, eager to revive his career after being cast aside by the Steelers.

With so much invested in Hurts’ success, the Eagles’ brass will undoubtedly be watching closely to see if their franchise QB can rise to the occasion and silence the doubters. What do you think?