Eagles QB Jalen Hurts: ‘Money is Nice, Championships are Better’
PHILADELPHIA – Three years ago, to the very day, the Philadelphia Eagles stunned the NFL world by drafting quarterback Jalen Hurts in the second round.
Three years later, on Monday morning, Hurts was in front of a crowd of media and family talking about his four-year, $255 million contract extension he signed a week earlier.
“Three years ago today, shocking the world and taking a kid from Oklahoma,” Hurts said. “I know a lot of people didn’t understand it at the time, but it happens.”
It happened, all right.
The Eagles have a franchise quarterback.
Of course, they thought they had one four years ago when they handed Carson Wentz a deal worth more than $100M, so time will tell.
Hurts has been doubted before.
He has never cared whether anyone still harbors any ill will toward his abilities, which saw him lead the Eagles to the Super Bowl in his second year as a starter and finish second in the league’s MVP race.
“I think the main thing for me has always been, since I was in high school, was to be the best player that I can be,” he said. “I love the game. I love the grind. I love the hustle that it takes, and the hard work continues. Everything continues.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today, to have these opportunities to lead this city, without this game. So, I’m going to put everything into it as I’ve always done and stay on the quest to lead and be the best that I can be with it.”
There was plenty of fanfare surrounding the introduction of the game’s highest-paid player.
There were seats marked “reserved” in the first and second rows inside the team’s auditorium, where press conferences are done.
Owner Jeffrey Lurie gave a five-minute opening remark, calling Hurts a “culture setter.”
Hurts sat in the front row nodding his head occasionally at the owner’s remarks. Seated to his left was his girlfriend Bryonna Burrows and next to her was Hurts’ agent, Nicole Lynn.
In the second row were Lurie’s son, Julian, who will someday inherit the team from his father, general manager Howie Roseman, and head coach Nick Sirianni.
In the back of the room were some of Hurts’ teammates, including receivers DeVonta Smith, Quez Watkins, and Greg Ward. Hurts family friend and now offensive coordinator, Brian Johnson, stood in the back also.
“It means a lot,” said Hurts about the extension. “It means everything. I think three years ago today, Mr. Lurie and Howie had the courage to draft me when no one really understood why. No one knew why.
“And I think to just have the opportunity to grow into a man, I’ve grown into the young man that I am today, I couldn’t do it in another place. And I couldn’t imagine this being another way. It’s a hell of an opportunity for us all.”
Hurts’ annual salary will be $51 million. It’s a team-friendly deal, however, and the Eagles aren’t concerned about the money changing their 24-year-old quarterback.
“Money is nice,” said Hurts, “championships are better.”
He added: “It’s kind of awkward sitting here talking about this, talking about money and all that,” Hurts said. “I’m an old southern boy. I love football. This is my life, I’ve invested everything into this game since Day 1, being a coach’s kid and all those things.
"I know this is a building full of hungry individuals that are willing to do everything that needs to be done to win and I’m grateful to lead that path.”
One of the more unique things about the extension is that it contains a no-trade clause, keeping Hurts locked into Philadelphia through 2028.
“What makes this place special? The fans, culture, the enthusiasm, the passion and love for the game,” he said.
“Early in my career, I wouldn’t call myself naïve – I’m saying early in my career, I’m 24 going into Year 4. When I first got here, everybody kind of treated me like a journeyman and I’ve experienced a lot, whatever, whatever.
“But playing at Alabama, playing at Oklahoma, those are two very special places, but Philly, it’s a Philly thing. It’s different. For professional sports, to see them out there tailgating, the enthusiasm they have, everything.
"I can’t really go anywhere around here, but that’s the sacrifice we make because I love this place. I love the fans, I love the culture that we have here, and I love everything about it. I’m excited for what’s to come.”
Ed Kracz covers the Philadelphia Eagles for SI's EaglesToday.
Please follow him and our Eagles coverage on Twitter at @kracze.
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