The conversation around Jalen Hurts took an unexpected turn this week. Several Eagles offensive players showed frustration with his approach against zone coverage. They also pointed to too many checkdowns and conservative decision-making. However, Stephen A. Smith stepped in to stop the narrative.
Smith delivered a segment that stunned both his audience and Hurts’ supporters. His argument was straightforward. He defended the quarterback using the most decisive statistic: his winning record.
A solid foundation for his defense
According to The Sports Rush, Stephen A. Smith reminded viewers that Hurts has a 51-4 record since 2022, including playoffs, a 79 percent win rate. The analyst emphasized that this number even surpasses Patrick Mahomes, who sits at 53-16 in the same span. It also exceeds the marks of Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Sam Darnold. For Smith, the debate is not about leadership.
It’s not about attitude either. It’s about results. He said bluntly: “We’re talking about Jalen Hurts. So what the hell is the problem? Why are the Eagles complaining?”
The answer seems tied to the team’s offensive collapse. Last season, Philadelphia ranked eighth in total offense. This year, it has fallen to 25th. The team also lost nearly 70 yards per game. Its passing attack dropped to 28th. A.J. Brown went from averaging 83 receiving yards per game to just 51. The rushing attack, once fueled by Saquon Barkley’s historic season, fell from second in the league to seventeenth. Brown summed it up honestly after a recent game: it was a “shitshow.”
Stephen A. Smith insisted the real frustration lies in performance, not in Hurts. Not in his work ethic. The offense is not the same. Key players feel the decline. And the lack of production has created a tense atmosphere. In contrast, Hurts enters Week 12 with a 7-2 record and only one interception, maintaining one of the best ball-security rates in the NFL. The problem isn’t him. It’s the system around him.
The Eagles must adjust quickly before their divisional matchup against Dallas. The margin for error is slim. The team needs rhythm. It needs structure. Hurts continues to deliver leadership and results. The rest of the offense must improve if Philadelphia wants to compete among the league’s best.
