Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts enters a pivotal 2026 season following reports of his unwillingness to adapt the team's offense. ESPN sources describe tensions with coaching staff and strained relationships with star receivers. The team fired offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo after a disappointing 2025 campaign.
The Eagles' 2025 offense struggled, averaging 22.3 points per game, ranking 19th in the NFL. They managed just six points on their final seven drives in a playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers at home. Jalen Hurts posted career lows with 7.1 yards per attempt and 64.8% completion rate, while rushing for only 421 yards on 105 carries. Saquon Barkley and A.J. Brown also underperformed compared to prior seasons, with Barkley losing 865 rushing yards and Brown totaling 1,003 receiving yards, his fewest since 2022 with Philadelphia. ESPN reports Hurts has rigid preferences, continually fighting against plays from under center and altering calls excessively. Team sources described his relationship with former coordinator Kellen Moore as tense, noting poor body language and reluctance to embrace motions and shifts. 'Poor body language, not always bought in, not the most coachable and the players notice,' one source told ESPN. Wide receiver A.J. Brown publicly called the offense a 'shitshow' midseason and stood by his comments, urging adaptation beyond relying on the defense. He highlighted reduced interactions with Hurts, once close friends, amid trade rumors. DeVonta Smith expressed frustration over the lack of easy plays, with every catch requiring a grind. The Eagles hired Sean Mannion, a former quarterback and Packers assistant, as the new play-caller. Sources indicate Mannion will implement a McVay-Shanahan style system with more motion and under-center play-action, which Hurts has resisted before. A source close to Hurts said he is now 'as open as he's ever been' to changes.
