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5 Reasons Why QB at 6 is a Smokescreen

I want to preface this argument by stating, obviously, that this post is merely an opinion based on knowledge that is available and known to most. Really, this is an exercise in connecting the dots, and to me, all signs point to Jalen Hurts opening the season as QB1. This is not to say that the Eagles won't bring in an established vet to push Hurts a la Jacoby Brissett (Sirianni connection) or Tyrod Taylor (Steichen Connection), or even draft a day 3 QB for our factory (I think this outcome is more likely than not), but I simply cannot imagine Howie pulling the trigger on a QB at 6. Here's why...

#1: Howie Roseman's Ego and his Quest for Vindication

Howie Roseman

Howie needs his groove back

Yes, I know most of Eagles nation would almost universally agree that Howie's drafting has been suspect at best, but we know that he believes himself to be the smartest guy in the room - the one who's playing chess when everyone else is playing checkers - and perhaps most importantly, the man has an ego. I do not believe that Howie's ego would allow him to take a QB at 6 because Hurts' success as an Eagle is the only thing that could vindicate Howie for making the decision to draft him.

I hated the Hurts pick. It was a waste of precious draft capital that could have been better spent on a viable replacement for Malcolm Jenkins for example. However, if Hurts is able to prove himself a capable NFL starter there remains a possibility that Howie's reputation, which peaked and steadily spiraled downward following SB LII, could be restored.

The argument could be made that Howie suspected Wentz would never return to 2017 form - be it due to his reduced athleticism following multiple injuries, his propensity for hero ball and ball security issues, or the perception by at least some in the locker room that he is not a leader of men. Whatever the reason, there is still an opportunity for the argument to be made that Howie identified Carson's flaws as fatal before most, brought in insurance, and then moved on when his suspicions were confirmed and while he could still get adequate value in return.

To be clear, I don't believe that is how it transpired, and there are a $128M reasons that suggest otherwise, but there is still a light at the end of the tunnel where to at least some extent Howie was smarter than everyone else and drafting a quarterback in the 2nd round of the 2020 NFL Draft was a shrewd, ballsy decision that paid off. The only way that seemingly ridiculous notion can come to fruition is for Jalen Hurts - not anyone else - to become a franchise quarterback in Philadelphia.

#2: Jeffrey Lurie is Tired of Drama and Embarrassment

Jeffrey Lurie

Lurie can't even right now

Foles or Wentz? Wentz or Hurts? Doug or Wentz? Josina Anderson and Jeff McLane or Kelce and Fletch? When will the drama end? Certainly not next year if the Eagles invite yet another controversy.

Say what you want about Lurie, but there is no question that the Eagles as a franchise have enjoyed the greatest period of sustained success under his stewardship. 9 division titles, 2 conference championships, and a Super Bowl is nothing to be ashamed of competing in what has historically been the best division in football. The Eagles right now, however, are an embarrassment.

Lurie is more involved than most owners in the NFL - perhaps to a fault - but there is no doubt that he cares about the Eagles and he cares about his reputation. And while he will continue to make excuses for Howie's objectively bad decisions, he is not blind to the fact that the Eagles at present are viewed as the most toxic organization outside of the dumpster fire that is Cal McNair's Houston Texans.

The only remedy for dysfunction is stability, and while it remains to be seen whether the decision making of Howie Roseman can provide organizational stability long term, we do know that taking another quarterback at the top of the draft will most assuredly not.

I don't think it is fair for anyone to say whether Hurts is the QB of the future after a 4 game sample size in a bad situation, but he is well-liked and highly respected (more on this later) not only inside the locker room but also around the football world. Giving Hurts a legitimate chance to prove himself is just what Lurie and the organization needs to cease being among the laughing stock of the league, earn back the trust of the players, and finally turn the page on what has felt like an unending saga of drama clouding Philadelphia Eagles football.

#3: The Eagles Always Use the Media to Their Advantage

Adam Schefter

Unnamed Sources = GMs

From Joe Banner to Chip Kelly and of course, Howie Roseman, it's no secret that the Eagles have long used the media to push various narratives that serve to paint their questionable decisions in a more favorable light to the fanbase.

Without descending into every example, we all remember the media coverage surrounding a certain iconic, again former Eagle's alleged "gang ties." More recently, it was no surprise that as the organization's divorce from its once anointed franchise QB seemed inevitable, new stories began to emerge of Wentz being "uncoachable."

In addition to smearing players on their way out though, the Eagles like many teams love to use the lead up to the draft as an opportunity to try and throw other teams off their scent. Last offseason, how often did we hear about the Eagles' rumored interest in Justin Jefferson only for them to take Jalen Reagor with JJETS still on the board? *shudder*

This time around, all we are hearing is that the Birds are seriously considering taking a QB with the 6th pick in the first round. Howie will do his homework no doubt, but I'll believe it when I see it. Like every other QB-needy team in the NFL, the Eagles would rightfully draft Trevor Lawrence without hesitation. But do they really want to risk investing in another franchise quarterback with potential entitlement issues, an Ohio State QB who may not be less flawed than Hurts, or a complete wildcard from Wentz's FCS alma mater?

More likely, in my opinion, is the reality that the Eagles would love for 3 or even 4 quarterbacks to fly off the board ahead of them so that they can either have their pick of the litter among the remaining blue chip talent or have the confidence to trade down knowing at least one of the players they highly covet will still be there.

I firmly believe that the Eagles media-driven interest in 1st round quarterbacks is a smokescreen to get teams like Carolina or Denver to move ahead of them.

#4: Jalen Hurts Has Been Put in a Position to Succeed

Brian Johnson

The Eagles are all in on Hurts

When the Eagles first brought in Nick Sirianni, everyone decided that the hire was all about fixing Wentz. Maybe that was a part of it, but I was immediately intrigued by how he might mold an offense around Hurts.

A deeper dive into the Eagles' new coach reveals a guy who has found success coaching 3 very different Colts quarterbacks in Andrew Luck, Jacoby Brissett, and Phillip Rivers. Obviously, Frank Reich had to have played a large part in that success, but at minimum, Sirianni represents a branch off of a coaching tree that knew how to adapt its system to a player's strengths - something Doug largely seemed reluctant to do.

Upon watching Sirianni's first interview with Dave Spadaro (before the introductory press conference which we won't speak of), I was convinced that this was a guy who understood what it actually meant to put his players in a position to succeed - to tailor an offense to a quarterback's strengths while minimizing their weaknesses. This is a guy who seems laser-focused on player development and coaching up fundamentals, and I really believe that's why he was hired.

It was Sirianni's most recent interview on the selection of his coaching staff that I found even more telling. New Offensive Coordinator Shane Steichen and his play calling blunders have been widely discussed, but Sirianni credited him, as a former quarterback, with being instrumental to Justin Herbert's development in route to winning Offensive Rookie of the Year. Of course he would say that, but I liked how he explained that Steichen can simplify the game for young quarterbacks so they can just go out and play.

More noteworthy than that, however, was Sirianni's revelation that new Quarterbacks' Coach and former Florida Offensive Coordinator Brian Johnson had no prior relationship with him or anyone else on his staff.

Why does that matter? For those unfamiliar, Brian Johnson has known Jalen Hurts since he was 4 years old when Hurts' father coached Johnson in high school. Later, Johnson recruited Hurts when he was at Mississippi State before Hurts ultimately committed to Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide.

Yes Brian Johnson coached a prolific Florida offense this year and there will always be #FloridaBias because it's Roseman's alma mater, but Johnson's familiarity with Hurts cannot be chalked up to coincidence. I am of the belief that his hire, made well before Wentz was traded, is a powerful indication of the organization's commitment to developing Jalen Hurts.

#5: Jalen Hurts May Actually be the Guy

Jalen Hurts

"All that we're saying / Is give Hurts a chance"

Wherever you may fall on the "Jalen Hurts can become a franchise quarterback" spectrum, I don't think a fair judgment can be made after just 4 starts in a difficult situation on a bad team.

We know Hurts has his flaws, but there's reason to believe at least some of those issues can be corrected by refining his mechanics while concerns about his arm strength may be somewhat overblown considering he's tested well in that metric. Don't get me wrong - Hurts will never match Wentz in that regard - but his high-end comp in Deshaun Watson similarly does not possess "elite" arm talent.

Regardless, Hurts has shown that he's at least capable of moving the ball down the field and hitting some of those difficult sideline throws. His mobility is his greatest asset, and his unprecedented lower body strength for a quarterback is a strong indication that his body will be able to withstand the grind of an NFL season as a scrambling QB.

What we also about Hurts is that he has all the intangibles it takes to succeed as a quarterback in the NFL. He has a relentless work ethic and has steadily improved in each year that he's been a starter. Perhaps most importantly, he's already demonstrated that he's a natural born leader.

Leadership and work ethic can only get you so far - just ask Tim Tebow - but overall, Hurts posseses a rare combination of elite intangibles and unique talent that's worth investing in for at least a full season. In the meantime, Howie can add a much needed difference maker to a roster full of holes and if Hurts fails, they'll be in prime position to draft his replacement with 2 picks in the first round of next year's draft *knock on wood*.

I don't know if Hurts is the QB of the future but it's worth finding out, and I for one think that the Eagles intend to.