The Philadelphia Eagles have signed quarterback Jalen Hurts to a contract extension after he took them to the Super Bowl.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was due a contract extension, especially considering he took Philly on a surprise Super Bowl run last season. Philadelphia was expected to make a leap, but they were also the last undefeated team remaining and dominated the NFC from start to finish.
The market for the best quarterbacks in football is abundantly clear. Lamar Jackson wants record money, as do Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert and Hurts. The minute any of those players resets the market, it only means more money is coming for the others.
Back up the brinks truck, because Hurts received a new deal:
Keeping the main thing in Philly.
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) April 17, 2023
We've agreed to terms with Jalen Hurts on a 5-year extension through the 2028 season.@JalenHurts | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/etgYG5rSpf
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Hurts signed a five-year, $255 million extension. He becomes the highest-paid player in NFL history, for now, in a deal negotiated by Nicole Lynn of Klutch Sports Group and Eagles’ GM Howie Roseman.
Jalen Hurts contract: Grading Eagles deal with franchise QB
All things considered, Philadelphia and Roseman did okay in this deal. The longer the Eagles waited to extend Hurts, the more money they would end up paying him. That’s why Philly shed so much talent from its loaded Super Bowl roster. At the end of the day, they knew that without Hurts, they were far from the best team in the NFC.
At 24 years old, Hurts is only improving at this juncture. The Oklahoma product can persuade other players to come play for Philadelphia as well, since having a franchise quarterback in place — albeit one of the best in the NFL altogether — is a great recruiting tactic.
The Eagles had the cap room to make this contract happen. In the future, perhaps they’ll ask Hurts to move some of his money around to acquire another star or two, just as the Chiefs have done with Patrick Mahomes.
Hurts AAV is just $2 million more than Aaron Rodgers, making him the highest-paid player in NFL history. Frankly, he’s earned it.
We’ll grade this contract a B for now, depending on how Philly fares in the next four-to-five seasons.