Unpacking The Jalen Hurts Extension

Overtime Heroics Editorial

165 days ago

Philadelphia wastes no time getting an extension done with All Pro QB Jalen Hurts. His representation and Eagles GM Howie Roseman agreed on a 5-year contract worth $255 Million with $179 Million in guaranteed money. This makes him the highest paid player in NFL history and for the first time in Eagles franchise history, they have a player with a No Trade Clause. This brings his Annual Average Value (AAV) of the contract to $51 Million just eclipsing the $50.3 Million that is paid to Aaron Rodgers.

Hurts Earned This Extension

After a breakout season in 2021, Hurts followed up with an even better 2022. Finishing with a completion percentage of 66% with 3701 yards and 22 TDs and just 6 INTs. Even more impressive was his 760 rushing yards with 13 TDs as well. That means he accounted for 35 total TDs for the team in 2022. A couple important traits that helped him secure this deal was his continued, steady improvement and his leadership.

You have seen his stats continually improve every year and he is looking to improve his craft since coming into the league. There were 4 QBs drafted ahead of him in 2020 and he has achieved more than 3 of them and will make more money than at least 3 of them. That lone QB who is on his level in that class was the #1 overall pick, Bengals QB Joe Burrow. And finally, he has shown leadership traits that are noticeable to his teammates.

He rarely gives excuses about his performance and never throws teammates under the bus. He puts his head down and gets to work and gives those around him praise when he is succeeding. Not once, have you ever heard his teammates mention anything bad about him. That says a lot about their leader.

What It Means For The QB Market Now

While this extension will have ramifications for the remaining QB market, it has given the baseline for all contracts now. Some notable names that are still eligible for extension are Bengals QB Joe Burrow, Chargers QB Justin Herbert and, of course, Ravens QB Lamar Jackson.

Burrow should be in line for a similar extension with the Bengals, while Herbert will now be more in line towards a top 12 QB but he could go for similar numbers towards Watson and Murray. But $40 Million AAV should be the number for Herbert. For Lamar, he just lost some leverage towards his extension as this extension is (reportedly) close to the same number that he was offered in the past.

Until a team comes in on his fully guaranteed money demands, his stance with Baltimore does not have much room for change.

Highest-paid QBs in the NFL in new money average per year:

1. Jalen Hurts: $51M
2. Aaron Rodgers: $49M
3. Kyler Murray: $46.1M
4. Deshaun Watson: $46M
5. Patrick Mahomes: $45M
6. Josh Allen: $43M
T-7. Daniel Jones: $40M
T-7. Matthew Stafford: $40M
T-7. Dak Prescott: $40M

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 17, 2023

Expectations For Hurts

With Hurts under contract with Philadelphia until 2028 now, the expectations could not be higher. They have had let some key pieces of the roster go to pay for this extension, but I think all Eagles fans will agree, they are not a contender without Hurts under center.

They did lose his play caller Shane Steichen to Indianapolis and RB Miles Sanders on the offensive side of the ball. On the defensive side of the ball they will not be bringing back DT Javon Hargrave, Safety CJ Gardner-Johnson and Linebackers Kyzir White and TJ Edwards.

With big contracts, come big expectations. This won’t change in Philadelphia next season. They fully expect to re-load and be the Super Bowl favorites as long as Jalen Hurts is under center and leading this team.

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