If you walk into any sports bar in Delco or South Philly right now, you don't even have to ask. You already know. Jalen Hurts is the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, and honestly, at this point, he feels as much a part of the city's architecture as the Art Museum steps.
It’s January 2026. The Eagles just wrapped up another winning regular season, finishing 11-6. While some critics like to nitpick his pocket presence or that habit of bailing to the right when the heat gets turned up, the reality is simple: the guy wins. He just led the team to another NFC East title, and while he sat out the Week 18 finale against the Commanders to rest up for the playoffs, there is zero doubt about who owns the keys to the NovaCare Complex.
Why Jalen Hurts Still Owns Philadelphia
People love to debate Jalen Hurts. It's basically a municipal pastime in Philly. Some fans want him to be a pure pocket passer like Drew Brees, while others want him to run for 100 yards every game. But 2025 showed us a quarterback who is basically a hybrid of both, even if it's not always "pretty" by traditional standards.
He’s coming off a massive 2025 campaign where he threw for over 3,200 yards and 25 touchdowns. But the stat that really makes Eagles fans lean back and smile? The rushing touchdowns. Hurts is still the king of the "Brotherly Shove." He’s broken almost every record for rushing scores by a quarterback, and in 2025, he remained the most dangerous goal-line weapon in the NFL.
The 2026 Depth Chart
When you look at the roster today, it's Jalen at the top, but the room behind him has changed quite a bit recently.
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- Starter: Jalen Hurts (The undisputed QB1)
- Backup (QB2): Tanner McKee
- Reserve (QB3): Sam Howell
Remember Kenny Pickett? That feels like a lifetime ago. The Eagles actually traded Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders back in October 2025. It just wasn't a fit. Pickett struggled to find his rhythm in the offense, and the coaching staff clearly felt more comfortable with the "Stanford Cannon," Tanner McKee.
Who is the Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback Backup?
Tanner McKee is the name you need to know. He’s 6'6", looks like he was built in a lab to play quarterback in the 1990s, and has a rocket for an arm. He actually started that Week 18 game against Washington just a couple of weeks ago.
Honestly, it was a bit of a rollercoaster. He started hot—going 16-for-25 for 201 yards early on—but things kinda sputtered out in the second half. He’s a traditional "pro-style" guy, which is a massive contrast to Hurts. If Jalen is a Swiss Army knife, McKee is a sledgehammer. He’s good, maybe even a future starter somewhere else (there are already rumors about the Dolphins looking at him for 2026), but for now, he’s the insurance policy in Philly.
Then you’ve got Sam Howell, whom the Eagles picked up to add some veteran experience to the room. He’s the QB3 right now, basically a "break glass in case of emergency" option.
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The Offensive Coordinator Carousel
If there is one thing that drives Jalen Hurts fans crazy, it's the lack of stability. Since he got to Philly, he's had more offensive coordinators than some people have had cars.
Heading into the 2026 offseason, the Eagles just announced they are moving on from Kevin Patullo. That makes it ten different play-callers Hurts has dealt with since his college days at Alabama and Oklahoma. It’s wild. Despite that, he put up a career-high 25 passing touchdowns in 2025. Imagine what he could do if he actually had the same coach for three years in a row?
The "Inside vs. Outside" Debate
There’s this narrative that Hurts struggles if he can’t run. The numbers from the 2025 season actually tell a more nuanced story.
Inside the pocket, Jalen was actually pretty lethal last year, posting a 104.2 passer rating. He’s become much more patient. However, his completion percentage drops significantly when he’s forced to scramble and throw on the move. He’s still elite, but he’s not perfect. That’s why you’ll still hear some talk-radio callers complaining after a win—it’s just the Philly way.
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What’s Next for the Eagles QB?
As we move into the 2026 playoffs, the focus is entirely on Hurts’ health and his connection with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Those three are the engine of the offense. With Saquon Barkley still dominating the backfield, Jalen doesn't have to do it all himself anymore, which is probably better for his longevity.
If you’re looking to follow the quarterback situation closely this year, here are the actionable steps to stay ahead of the curve:
1. Watch the Coaching Search: Keep a close eye on who Nick Sirianni hires as the new Offensive Coordinator this month. Jalen needs someone who can marry the deep ball with the run game effectively.
2. Monitor the Trade Market: Watch the Tanner McKee rumors. If a team like Miami or Vegas offers a 3rd or 4th round pick for him this spring, Howie Roseman might pull the trigger, which would leave the Eagles looking for a new backup.
3. Focus on the Blitz: In the upcoming playoff games, watch how Jalen handles the extra rusher. His ability to stay in the pocket versus bailing out will likely determine if the Eagles make another Super Bowl run.
Jalen Hurts is more than just the guy under center; he's the leader of the locker room. Whether he's squatting 600 pounds or throwing a 50-yard dime to A.J. Brown, he's the guy Philadelphia has bet its future on. And so far, that bet is looking pretty good.