Super Bowl 59 is set, and the stage couldn’t be bigger. In a rematch of Super Bowl 57, the Philadelphia Eagles will once again face off against the Kansas City Chiefs, with Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Isiah Pacheco, and Andy Reid chasing an unprecedented third straight championship. For Jalen Hurts, this game represents more than just another shot at a ring — it’s a chance to cement himself as one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks.
Yet, despite his success, some still don’t believe he belongs in that conversation. One former quarterback has made it clear that, no matter what Hurts accomplishes, he’ll never reach the level of the league’s top-tier signal-callers.
Dan Orlovsky Dismisses Jalen Hurts’ Ceiling
During a recent episode of “First Take” with Stephen A. Smith, former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky didn’t hold back when discussing Hurts’ place in the quarterback hierarchy.
“I don’t think there’s anything that Jalen [Hurts] can do to be in the conversation with [Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen] as players. … The Super Bowl becomes, it elevates the perception of him, but talent-wise, I don’t think Jalen’s ever gonna be into that group.”
"I don't think there's anything Jalen [Hurts] can do to be in the conversation with [Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen] as players." —@danorlovsky7 😯 pic.twitter.com/fP12UcNglV
— First Take (@FirstTake) February 4, 2025
It’s a bold statement, especially considering Hurts is about to play in his second Super Bowl in three years. While Burrow, Jackson, and Allen are all seen as franchise cornerstones, none of them have the postseason success Hurts has accomplished in such a short span. However, according to Orlovsky, there’s still a gap between them … and there always will be.
Is Orlovsky’s Criticism Fair?
While it’s true that Hurts isn’t as fast as Jackson or as polished of a passer as Burrow, the numbers suggest he’s closer to that tier than some may think. Based on our advanced QB+ metric, Hurts actually graded out above Burrow in the regular season in 2024 and finished as the fourth-best quarterback in the league.
QB+ grade (NFL rank), 2024:
- Jackson: 99.8 (first)
- Allen: 91.7 (third)
- Hurts: 88.7 (fourth)
- Burrow: 88.5 (fifth)
His efficiency from a clean pocket, performance in high-pressure moments, and ability to convert on third downs have been among the best in the NFL.
His biggest flaw has been his performance under pressure, where his efficiency drops significantly. But even then, Hurts has routinely delivered in crunch time, leading the league in fourth-quarter efficiency in one-score games. If winning, producing, and performing in the clutch doesn’t get him into the elite tier, what will?
Can Hurts Prove His Doubters Wrong in New Orleans?
With another Super Bowl matchup against Mahomes looming, Hurts has the perfect opportunity to silence his critics. A win against the reigning champions would further solidify his legacy and make it nearly impossible to ignore his place among the league’s best quarterbacks.
But if you ask Orlovsky, it won’t change anything.
READ MORE: Philadelphia Eagles — Why Super Bowl 59 Will Be Different Than Super Bowl 57
So what exactly does Hurts have to do to be viewed as elite? We’re about to find out as we get set to see if the Eagles have what it takes to prevent the Chiefs from being 2-0 in Super Bowl rematches.