Jalen Hurts is one of the best mobile quarterbacks in the NFL. However, his NFC Championship Game opponents will be making their physicality felt if he opts to use his legs, per defensive coordinator Joe Whitt.
Commanders DC Warns Jalen Hurts ‘He Would Get Hit Like a Running Back’
Hurts started the Eagles’ Divisional Round win against the Rams with a home run play, rushing 44 yards for a touchdown on their opening drive. The Eagles quarterback is perhaps the most physical guy playing his position in the NFL, and he is often given designated run plays to take advantage of his evasiveness, speed, and physicality.
However, the Commanders are not planning to let him turn into a rusher often. They intend to make their physical presence felt if he uses his legs and starts making plays as a running back. Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt admitted as much when asked how the team would scheme against Hurts’ rushing threat.
“We’ve had a number of these guys that we’ve had to prepare for. And so the one thing is, if he’s going to run the ball and the coordinator makes a decision for him to run the ball, we’re going to treat ’em like a running back, and we’re going to hit ’em that way.”
“And so that’s their decision if they want to get him hit the way that he gets hit. If they don’t, they’ll keep him in the pocket.”
👀 Watch out Jalen Hurts?
Commanders DC Joe Whitt Jr says they will hit Eagles QB #JalenHurts if he runs like a RB
“we are going to hit him that way. That’s their decision if they want to get him hit the way that he gets hit”https://t.co/ZCfqwTKQDK pic.twitter.com/DkhcWE9zqM
— Jeff Skversky (@JeffSkversky) January 23, 2025
Hurts has been one of the NFL’s foremost rushers, regardless of position, over the past four seasons. He has tallied double-digit rushing touchdowns in each of the last four and has led the NFL in rushing touchdowns since the beginning of the 2023 season with 29.
Hurts’ running style is quite physical — the former Alabama quarterback does not shy away from contact, often bouncing off linebackers and cornerbacks while trying to gain extra yards. This is often seen as a risky approach, considering his importance to the Eagles as their orchestrator on the field.
However, Hurts prepares himself for these extremely physical situations. In the past two seasons, several rushing touchdowns have come off short-yardage situations and tush pushes, a play that requires a lot of strength and maneuverability.
The Eagles’ offensive staff will need to balance liberating their quarterback as a rusher while keeping him safe if faced with physical tackles from the Commanders’ defense.