Account
Jalen Hurts Remains Eagles' Starting QB Despite Gardner Minshew's Performance vs. NYJ
December 5, 2021
The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New York Jets 33-18 on Sunday with Gardner Minshew at quarterback. However, that doesn't mean the 25-year-old will be Philly's starter moving forward.
While addressing reporters after the game, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni confirmed Jalen Hurts will remain his starting quarterback this season.
"I think he's played really good football," Sirianni said of Hurts. "There's been times where he's been one of the best in the league with the way he's moved around, made plays. ... When he's healthy and he's back, he'll be our starter."
Minshew was thrust into the starting lineup this week after Hurts suffered an ankle injury in a Week 12 loss to the New York Giants. It was his first start of the 2021 season, and he didn't disappoint.
The former Jacksonville Jaguar completed 20 of 25 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns in addition to running for 11 yards on four carries. As a reference, Hurts hasn't thrown for more than 200 yards since a Week 7 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders and hasn't tossed two touchdowns since a Week 10 win over the Denver Broncos.
However, it wouldn't make sense for the Eagles to shift gears and name Minshew the starter this quickly. Sirianni and Co. have been committed to Hurts thus far, and there's no reason they shouldn't be now.
The 23-year-old has completed 60.1 percent of his passes for 2,435 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 12 games this season. While those numbers aren't eye-popping, he has been much more effective on the ground, rushing for 695 yards and eight scores.
In addition, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie is reportedly confident Hurts can be the team's quarterback of the future. However, it should be noted that general manager Howie Roseman is reportedly "less confident" in Hurts as the team's starting QB heading into the 2022 season, per Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
It's unclear when Hurts might return from his ankle ailment, but he has at least four more games this year to leave his mark. If the Eagles are left unimpressed, they might look elsewhere for a new quarterback.