Howard Eskin: Jalen Hurts Could Be a Better Teammate

The Teammate Question That Won't Go Away

Is Jalen Hurts a good teammate? It's a question that keeps surfacing in Philadelphia, and it got its most direct answer yet on The National Football Show. The assessment from one of the most connected voices in Philly sports was blunt: Hurts could be a better teammate.

This isn't about his talent. Nobody questions whether Hurts can play. But there's a growing conversation about his presence — on the sideline, in the locker room, and in how he connects with the people around him.

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The Sideline Behavior

The reading on the sideline has become a symbol. While other quarterbacks are working the sideline — coaching up receivers, talking to coordinators, keeping energy up — Hurts has been spotted sitting alone, reading. Is it preparation? Sure. But optics matter in a locker room, and the perception among some is that Hurts doesn't engage the way other franchise quarterbacks do.

Compare that to someone like Josh Allen, who's constantly in his teammates' faces, hyping guys up, creating energy. Or even within the Eagles' own building — players who connect in a more visible, vocal way. Hurts isn't that guy, and it's becoming a factor.

Is He Good or Is He Great?

This is the real question underneath the teammate debate. If Hurts were playing at an MVP level, nobody would care if he read War and Peace on the sideline. But the perception that he's good — not great — makes every other question louder.

The Eagles won a Super Bowl with Hurts. But they won it with an elite defense, a dominant running game, and a supporting cast that masked his limitations. Can Hurts elevate the team when things aren't perfect? That's what separates good from great.

What Happens Next

The teammate narrative isn't going away. If anything, it intensifies if AJ Brown gets traded and the offense struggles. Hurts has the opportunity to silence every critic in 2026 — not just with his arm, but with his leadership. The question is whether he'll adapt or stay the course.