NFL Insider Gets Honest About Eagles Potentially Benching Jalen Hurts Next Season

The Philadelphia Eagles signed QB Jalen Hurts to a five-year, $255 million extension in April 2023.

However, there is little guaranteed money left on Hurts' deal after the 2026 season.

New Eagles OC Sean Mannion will be Hurts' sixth play caller since Hurts entered the NFL in 2020. If Hurts struggles to begin next season, could he get benched? 

It's doubtful, according to NFL insider Zach Berman of The Athletic. 

"I don't think there's any clock on Jalen Hurts during the season," Berman wrote. "If there's a worst-case scenario in which Hurts struggles in this offense and the Eagles are unenthused about giving Hurts a new contract, then it's a conversation after the season. But I don't see the Eagles benching Hurts this season. So to answer that part succinctly: Hurts gets the whole season."

Hurts finished the 2025 season with 3,224 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, 421 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns. He completed 64.8% of his passes. 

Hurts enters next season with 17,891 passing yards, 110 passing touchdowns, 3,554 rushing yards and 63 rushing touchdowns in his career. He's made the Pro Bowl three times and won Super Bowl LIX MVP.

"Jalen's been awesome," Mannion said. "I really think he can do anything we ask of him. He's accurate. He's a great athlete. He really attacks the fundamentals. That's what's been really fun to watch these last two weeks of Phase 2. He's always wanting more things to work on, wanting more things regarding fundamentals, timing, understanding the scheme. He's hungry for more. Those are the guys that are really fun to work with."

The Eagles open the 2026 season against the Washington Commanders at home. 

Let's see how Hurts plays in Mannion's system. 

"Jalen's been outstanding in the meetings, and I think having gone through multiple coordinators and stuff, you can tell he's a really capable learner," Mannion said. "He has a great process in the meetings. He always asks really, really thought-provoking questions. He's detailed and attacks his fundamentals. He's always a guy who stays after practice and is working on things. Those are the guys you love to work with."

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