Jalen Hurts is not having a good statistical season, but the Philadlephia Eagles are still 11-2. The NFC East leaders have not lost since Week 4 and have emerged as a true Super Bowl contender.
Saquon Barkley has been their best player this season, and Nick Sirianni has relied heavily on running the ball. Due to this, there have been limited opportunities for wide receivers on the team, including A.J. Brown, who recently voiced his concern.
After the Eagles escaped with a 22-16 win against the Carolina Panthers last week, Brown seemingly took a shot at Hurts by saying the team’s passing needs to improve. His antics created much speculation and sparked fans’ reactions across social media.
Michael Vick Offers Advice for Jalen Hurts in Dealing With A.J. Brown
Former Eagles quarterback Michael Vick was asked about the Hurts-Brown situation during his recent appearance on “First Things First.” He offered advice to the quarterback and rejected the intention of force-feeding the wide receiver to make him happy.
“I wouldn’t try to force-feed him,” said Vick. “Because of the simple fact that you know, it’s always more difficult to play within the confines of the offense when you’re trying to force the ball to a guy. The offense flows smoothly when you’re going through the reads and going through your progressions…”
Vick added, “So, you know if I’m Jalen, I’m gonna stay within the offense, keep playing my game, and not forcing the ball down the field because that’s when errors start to occur, and that’s when you start to get out of whack and start to make errant throws and indecisive decisions.”
.@MichaelVick says Jalen Hurts should NOT force the ball to AJ Brown vs. Steelers:
“It’s always more difficult to play within the confines of the offense when you’re trying to force the ball to a guy.” pic.twitter.com/1Ll3No6sjl
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) December 14, 2024
This past week, a similar situation happened in San Francisco when Deebo Samuel went on social media to express his demand for more touches. The 49ers forced-fed him during the game against the Los Angeles Rams, and his drop cost his team.
This ongoing situation between the Eagles quarterback and his WR1 could hurt the team, which is why coach Sirianni and Hurts himself have to step in and make things clear for everyone.
Barkley is having a historic season, and since the team has won nine straight games by prioritizing running the ball, they should not change that strategy to make someone happy.
Brown Should Sacrifice Personal Glory for Team’s Success
The Eagles have one of the best rosters in the league and have a great chance of winning the Super Bowl. They are the team many believe can take down the Detroit Lions, as Philadelphia’s experience of playing in big games will be crucial.
Hurts is averaging career-low numbers in passing yards per game and passing attempts per game. He knows that running the ball with Barkley is the best for the team, and he hasn’t let his ego come in front of that.
As a result, Brown should also not try to aim for personal glory at the cost of the team’s success. Everyone knows he is one of the best wide receivers in the league, and the 27-year-old wideout should wait for his opportunities, which will come in every game.
Brown signed a three-year, $96 million extension before the start of the season and is under contract till 2029. Since he has nothing to prove for financial gain, the two-time Pro Bowler should act as a leader rather than make things tough for his quarterback.
Hurts knows he must play well for his team to win the Super Bowl. However, his teammates should look out for him in front of the media instead of throwing him under the bus.
Brown should learn from Justin Jefferson and his teammate DeVonta Smith. Both never complain about not getting the ball despite being among the best at their position.