The Jalen Hurts Running Debate: Use It or Lose Him

A Drastic Drop-Off

The numbers don't lie. Jalen Hurts' rushing attempts per game fell off a cliff last season compared to every other year of his career. The gap between what we saw in 2024 and prior seasons wasn't just noticeable — it was jarring.

This isn't about being reckless. Nobody wants Hurts running 15 times a game and taking unnecessary hits. But the near-total disappearance of his running game removed one of the most dangerous weapons in the Eagles' offensive arsenal.

Maximize the Shelf Life

Here's the uncomfortable truth that nobody in Eagles Nation wants to hear: Jalen Hurts is a unique player, and unique players need to use what makes them unique.

The running game — the designed runs, the RPO pulls, the scramble conversions — that's what separates Hurts from being just another quarterback. Take that away, and you're asking him to be something he's never been: a pure pocket passer who reads progressions, climbs the pocket, and delivers the ball on time to the second and third read.

That's not who Jalen Hurts is. And at 27 years old, it's unrealistic to expect him to completely reinvent his game because the organization wants to protect his body.

The better approach? Maximize the shelf life of what makes him special. Use the running game strategically — maybe not at the 2022-23 rate, but far more than what we saw last season. Get the most out of this player's prime years rather than trying to turn him into a completely different quarterback.

The Organization's Role

This isn't all on Hurts. The Eagles have a responsibility to design an offense that maximizes their franchise quarterback's strengths. If they're asking him to morph into a traditional drop-back passer AND hiring coaches without proven track records of developing quarterbacks in that style, that's an organizational failure.

The shift toward a more Shanahan-inspired offense could work — but only if it incorporates what Hurts does best. Under-center play-action with Hurts as a legitimate running threat is terrifying for defenses. Under-center play-action where everyone knows Hurts isn't going to keep it? That's just a gimmick.

The Tough Conversation

If Hurts himself has decided he doesn't want to run anymore, then the Eagles need to have a very different conversation. Because a non-running Jalen Hurts, one who won't climb the pocket or run progressions consistently, is not the franchise quarterback this team needs long-term.

That's not a popular take. But it's a realistic one. The best thing for both parties is to find the middle ground: run enough to keep defenses honest, protect Hurts on the designed runs, and build an offense that accentuates his dual-threat ability rather than trying to eliminate it.