For all of the analysis that will come and go about Super Bowl 59, the truth is that the difference in a Super Bowl win or a defeat will often come down to the quarterbacks involved. It’s what makes legends out of those who play the position, with the chance to make the impact throws with the game on the line.
There are exceptions of course—and maybe that’s Saquon Barkley— but at some point, it feels like Patrick Mahomes versus Jalen Hurts will be a critical and perhaps most important battle between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.
But here comes the rub: Mahomes is a known quantity. He’s got three Super Bowl MVP trophies that verify his ability to be the hero in such a situation. For Hurts, that moment, at least in the National Football League, has yet to come.
Can Hurts win the big one? Can he rise above and do what Chiefs Kingdom is so used to see from Mahomes? We asked Geoffrey Knox from Inside the Iggles to tell us about the ways that Hurts has changed since their last Super Bowl matchup and what to expect from the Eagles offense overall.
These matchups always seem to come down to quarterback play, which brings us to Jalen Hurts. The Chiefs haven’t faced him since November 2023. What would you say has changed about his game since the last matchup?
Jalen Hurts is, at times, impossible to explain. In some ways, he’s the same player you remember from two years ago. In other ways, he’s worse. Then, he morphs into being someone better. Some argue that, had there not been an unforced turnover in the first half of Super Bowl LVII, we’d be potentially remembering a different outcome.
Jalen can still make things happen with his legs, but there are days when it seems the burst is gone. He took off and hit paydirt vs. the Rams, and that was good to see. He’s a better passer now, but he also holds on to the ball too long. That’s possibly because he fears making mistakes or turning the ball over.
If there is one flaw we see too often in Jalen’s game, it’s his need to see receivers running wide-open before he lets the ball go. As you know, that isn’t how the NFL works.
Open receivers are missed sometimes, but that can be stated about every receiver. This season has also been tough to grade as he seemingly has been asked to adopt this safe playstyle and rely on the running game and Saquon Barkley.
How much do you trust Hurts to be able to carry the offense in a pivotal SB moment?
I totally trust Jalen. I have always more so feared coaching. I have seen Jalen answer the call time and time again. I know it’s in there. I’ve seen him outplay Patrick Mahomes on the biggest stage and lose. My fear is Kellen Moore. Every primary receiver’s route doesn’t need to carry them 20 yards down the field.
A quarterback’s best friends are competent o-line play and a great running game. He has both. Now, it just comes down to execution. If he struggles early, I’d like to see Moore call some easy throws to settle him down, but no worries about Jalen. If he plays at peak level, Philly’s chances of winning this one improve dramatically.
Where would you rank Hurts numerically among NFL QBs?
- Patrick Mahomes
- Josh Allen
- Lamar Jackson
- Joe Burrow
- Jalen Hurts
