Why Jalen Hurts Is Faster This Year -- And How Eagles QB Is Confusing His Defense

PHILADELPHIA – Several times during training camp, Jalyx Hunt has chased after Jalen Hurts, forcing him out of the pocket and sending the Eagles quarterback fleeing to whatever open green grass he can find while continuing to scan the field.

It’s hard to tell if Hunt could have caught him because the quarterback wears a red jersey and can’t be touched. The outside linebacker is having a great camp, but Hunt may have had to find an extra gear to catch his QB because Hurts looks faster.

Maybe he is faster, though he denied it after Day 10 of camp on Tuesday.

“No, nothing specifically," Hurts said when asked if there was something he did this offseason differently to regain the explosion he seemed to lose last year when he appeared more bulked up. “I just went on my regimen as normal. … I feel good. I’ve always felt good. I don’t feel any different than I have in the past.”

Vic Fangio begs to differ. In fact, it was the defensive coordinator who volunteered that information about Hurts looking faster when asked before practice what he had noticed about the QB in the new offense.

“Jalen's having a good camp,” said the DC. “He looks faster. Obviously, we can't touch him during practice. There's always that debate whether you had him or not. There have been a few times where our guys think they had him and they really didn't. He's moving good and I think he's doing a nice job with the new offense.”

"Faster" Jalen Hurts Grasping Offense

Ah, the new offense. It’s different, that’s for sure. It’s noticeable to all who have watched practices. More under center, more motion.

“A lot's been made about (Hurts), all these coordinators he's been with, but it's basically been the same offense every year,” said Fangio. “This is different. He's done a great job with it.”

And the man doing the chasing throughout camp, Hunt? What does he think?

“Yeah (he’s faster),” said Hunt. “The attention he pays to his body, and just his preparation for the season is second to none. He’s always trying to figure out the next thing, and the best things that he can do for himself. He looks fresh. He looks good moving. He looks confident back there, so I’m confident in him.”

Head coach Nick Sirianni has liked what he has seen from Hurts in the new offense, and each day it appears better.

“You're seeing it out there,” said Sirianni. “He's just doing a really good job. You can see how quickly he's getting through progressions and onto the next read with great footwork. Jalen's a very accurate passer, and you're seeing that continue to shine.

"Some of the new things [that he has to do] with different footwork, particularly under center. You're just seeing the growth of him daily within this offense and getting more and more comfortable, and you're seeing that on the field. Jalen's having a great camp, and look forward to continuing that.”

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