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Eagles Debate Jalen Hurts' Future as Franchise QB
Columnist argues the 'franchise QB' label is outdated and Hurts is a 'Group 2' QB who can win with the right team.
Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:33am
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A cubist interpretation of the ongoing debate over Jalen Hurts' role as the Eagles' quarterback.Philadelphia TodayA Philadelphia columnist argues that the debate over whether Jalen Hurts is a 'franchise quarterback' is missing the point. He says Hurts is a 'Group 2' QB who can win with the right team, not necessarily a 'Group 1' QB who can win with any team. The columnist breaks down different types of QBs and says the Eagles need to decide if Hurts is the right QB for their current situation or if they need to build a team better suited to Hurts' strengths.
Why it matters
The debate over Jalen Hurts' long-term future as the Eagles' starting QB has been a major storyline, with fans and analysts divided on whether he is a true 'franchise QB.' This column provides a more nuanced perspective on how to evaluate quarterbacks beyond the 'franchise' label.
The details
The columnist argues the 'franchise quarterback' label is outdated, as Super Bowl winners in recent years have included QBs like Sam Darnold and Nick Foles who don't fit the traditional 'elite' mold. He proposes breaking QBs into four groups - those you win because of, those you can win with, those you lose with, and those you lose because of. The columnist says Hurts likely falls into the 'Group 2' category of QBs you can win with, rather than 'Group 1' elite QBs. He cites Hurts' stats on first-and-10 throws in neutral situations as evidence he may struggle more than other starters at getting the ball downfield consistently, though he's also led the Eagles to two Super Bowls in three years.
- Hurts has been the Eagles' starting QB for the past five seasons.
- The Eagles reached the Super Bowl in 2022 and 2024, winning in 2024.
The players
Jalen Hurts
The Eagles' starting quarterback for the past five seasons, leading the team to two Super Bowl appearances and one championship.
Sean Mannion
The Eagles' offensive coordinator, previously an assistant coach with the Packers.
What they’re saying
“The discourse about Hurts is the same discourse that we've had about every multiyear Eagles starter in my conscious lifetime. Randall Cunningham, Donovan McNabb, Michael Vick, Carson Wentz. It always reaches this point.”
— David Murphy, Columnist
“In reality, 'franchise quarterback' consists of two subgroups: Quarterbacks that can win with most any team, and quarterbacks that can win with certain teams.”
— David Murphy, Columnist
What’s next
The Eagles will need to decide if Hurts is the right QB to lead them to an elite level, or if they need to build a team better suited to his strengths.
The takeaway
This debate over Jalen Hurts' status as a 'franchise QB' highlights the need to move beyond simplistic labels and evaluate quarterbacks based on their specific abilities to elevate a team, rather than expecting them all to fit the mold of an 'elite' passer.
