Jalen Hurts and Jalen Reagor give Eagles fans rare optimism in 2020

The Eagles’ 2020 draft suddenly looks to have a lot more promise.

The Philadelphia Eagles looked to be on course for a blowout loss to the Green Bay Packers, only for Jalen Hurts and Jalen Reagor to fuel a surge that should give them and their fans reason for optimism heading into the final weeks of a largely dispiriting campaign.

Hurts came into the game in the third quarter as starting quarterback Carson Wentz was finally benched and marked his opening drive with a 31-yard run and a 34-yard pass to first-round rookie receiver Reagor.

Penalties killed that drive but Hurts overcame further flags on his second drive to throw for his first NFL touchdown in spectacular fashion. Rolling to his right on fourth-and-18, Hurts dropped a perfect pass into Greg Ward to narrow the Packers’ lead to 23-10.

After the Packers went three-and-out on the subsequent drive, Reagor provided further evidence of what he can do with the ball in his hands, taking a punt back 73 yards for a touchdown that made it a one-score game, though the extra point was no good.

Hopes of an Eagles comeback were dashed by Aaron Jones’ 77-yard rushing touchdown, which was followed by an interception from Hurts as he was picked off by Packers safety Darnell Savage.

Though the end result was a loss that significantly dents the Eagles’ fading hopes of winning the NFC East and reaching the playoffs, the spark that Hurts and Reagor — much maligned as Philadelphia’s first two picks in the 2020 draft — provided should excite fans as they look ahead of the final four weeks of the season.

Even in limited action, Hurts should have done enough to be named the starter the rest of the way. If he and Reagor can form a rapport, it may help the Eagles forget about passing on Justin Jefferson and give them the starting foundation for a rebuild on the offensive side of the ball.