The Eagles are off Sunday but in many ways, they are still the talk of the NFL as the league’s only unbeaten team at 6-0.
The on-field leader of Philadelphia, quarterback Jalen Hurts, was praised by Hall of Fame coach Bill Cowher on ‘That Other Pregame Show’ which airs on CBS Sports Network.
A Super Bowl-winning coach in Pittsburgh, Cowher pointed to the intangibles that in many ways have defined the 24-year-old, second-year starter during his rise from perceived liability to MVP candidate.
“The biggest thing is you see him after a game and downplaying these victories, he’s a leader,” said Cowher, now a CBS analyst. “He’s a leader in the locker room, a guy you look up to and you know that he’s probably the first one in and the last one to leave. He keeps everything in perspective and he’s making sure we stay focused on the prize and don’t get caught up with the emotional rollercoaster [with] success and failure.”
Hurts has often been described as an old soul by those close to him and has always been far more mature than his age.
He often speaks of “the standard” not being met despite the Eagles’ early-season dominance.
A rare dual-threat who can beat you throwing or running the football, Cowher believes the off-the-field impact Hurts has is an even bigger part of Philadelphia’s success.
“I’ve been so impressed with Jalen Hurts with not what he’s done on the field but more importantly the messaging that has taken place after games and even before games,” the former coach said.
Ironically, the Eagles will come out of the bye to face the Steelers in Week 8.
Cowher’s final season as the head coach in Pittsburgh was 2006. He spent 15 seasons running the Steelers, winning 161 games, including 12 in the postseason capped by a Super Bowl XL win over Seattle after the 2005 season, Ben Roethlisberger’s second in Pittsburgh.
