The Pro Bowl is officially underway, and along with some exciting plays are some equally disappointing ones, such as Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts’ brutal drop.
Jalen Hurts Drops Wide-Open Pass in Pro Bowl
The Pro Bowl has changed in recent seasons and is now much more of an entertainment television event. It sees the top players in the NFL complete a series of challenges and ends in a game of flag football.
Hurts got the start at quarterback during the flag football contest, and during the NFC team’s second possession, the Eagles’ All-Pro signal-caller dropped a “Philly Special” attempt.
Glad nobody told Jalen Hurts to be a WR 🥴#ProBowlGames | #FlyEaglesFly
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 4, 2024
In his defense, Hurts has a tape and a small brace on his injured middle finger, but he’s still going to hear criticism for dropping this pass.
Hurts nearly connected on the Philly Special six years ago to the day Nick Foles completed it to help the Eagles win their first Super Bowl over the Patriots.
On social media, fans are joking about how Hurts failed to execute the Eagles’ signature play.
“He fumbled that so bad,” one fan wrote on X.
“Smh can’t even catch Philly’s signature play,” another said.
Some fans are just happy to see Hurts is out there having a good time. Additionally, some argue the ball was thrown a bit too high for him to catch.
“Ignoring the fact that Jalen didn’t catch this on the 6 year anniversary of the Eagles Philly Special… I never want to hear any slander about Hurts having no personality or any of that. He’s out there having a BLAST. He knows when to lock-in and when it’s fun and games. Love to see it,” one fan wrote on X.
“The throw was trash tho, it was 6 inches above him instead of infront of him,” another fan wrote.
At the end of the day, the Pro Bowl is fun and games, and Hurts has had plenty of exciting plays so far in the contest, such as a deep touchdown to Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
Jalen Hurts ➡️ CeeDee Lamb Deep Ball Touchdown 🔥🔥🔥#ProBowlGames pic.twitter.com/QHhXguJEo8
— Eagles Nation (@PHLEaglesNation) February 4, 2024
Hurts got the starting nod for the NFC team after having a phenomenal season. He led Philly to an 11-6 regular-season record. He also threw the most completions (352), yards (3,858), and touchdowns (23) of his career.
Hurts, however, wasn’t named among the first three quarterbacks to get to the 2024 Pro Bowl, and he has had to rely on other players being unavailable.
Hurts has made the Pro Bowl after being named as an alternate on the original roster. With the San Francisco 49ers making the Super Bowl, QB Brock Purdy is unable to attend the all-star game, and Hurts is his replacement.
KEEP READING: Peyton Manning Assesses Hurts’ Fit in New Eagles OC Kellen Moore’s Offense
The call-up means Hurts has made the Pro Bowl in each of the last two years and is the first Eagles QB to reach consecutive Pro Bowls since Donovan McNabb.
Hurts is one of seven Eagles players at the 2024 Pro Bowl, with teammates Lane Johnson, Jason Kelce, Landon Dickerson, D’Andre Swift, Darius Slay, and Haason Reddick also at the all-star event. A.J. Brown was also named to the Pro Bowl but will not be appearing.
As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!
