Jalen Hurts ‘trying to get hip-to-hip with the play-caller’ in Philadelphia

As the Philadelphia Eagles kick off the on-the-field phase of their offseason program, quarterback Jalen Hurts is once again recalibrating. Preparing for his sixth season in Philadelphia, the former Alabama standout is tasked with mastering a new offensive scheme under coordinator Sean Mannion—the sixth different play-caller of his tenure.

Navigating Change in Philadelphia

While adjusting to a new coordinator is becoming a familiar rhythm for the star quarterback, a significant potential roster change looms. Speculation has persisted since the conclusion of the 2025 season that the Eagles may trade wide receiver A.J. Brown after June 1 for salary cap considerations. Brown has been a centerpiece of the offense for four seasons, racking up 339 receptions, 5,034 yards, and 32 touchdowns during that span.

Addressing the uncertainty surrounding his teammate, Hurts noted on Wednesday that while the possibility of Brown’s departure remains a lingering topic, the team's focus on improvement remains steady. "Nothing can replace all the greatness that we achieved together," Hurts said.

Building a New Identity

The Eagles are looking to bolster their receiving corps with recent moves, including the selection of Makai Lemon in the draft, the acquisition of Dontayvion Wicks, and the signings of Hollywood Brown and Elijah Moore. Additionally, the team added tight end Eli Stowers, who joins Dallas Goedert and Grant Calcaterra in the rotation. Meanwhile, former Alabama All-American DeVonta Smith remains a cornerstone of the passing game.

"I know everyone has a lot of confidence in [Smith], and, obviously, Makai and Wicks and Dallas and the whole unit," Hurts added. "Ultimately, the thing is just learning what Coach Sean is installing... we all have to build that shared belief."

The Quest for Expertise

For Hurts, the mental grind of learning a new playbook is part of a lifelong process. "I’m always trying to get hip-to-hip with the play-caller," Hurts explained. "I want to become an expert at the position, and I want to grow within the position." He described the transition to Mannion—who joined the staff in January after coaching quarterbacks for the Green Bay Packers—as an "enjoyable journey" defined by clear instruction and a fresh philosophical perspective.

Head coach Nick Sirianni continues to be impressed by his quarterback's unwavering professional demeanor. "One thing that’s really special about Jalen is just how consistent he is with his approach to getting better every single day," Sirianni said. "Regardless of who the play-caller is or who his quarterback coach is, just consistency from Jalen with how he approaches a daily process."