Why Jeffery Simmons Is Completely Wrong With His Pocket Comments on Jalen Hurts

Simmons said to keep Hurts inside the pocket to beat him. That just isn't true.

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The comments have made the rounds on the internet. They fired up Philadelphia Eagles fans on social media (as if Eagles fans needed another reason go react to something).

Tennessee Titans All-Pro defensive tackle simply answered a question on Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. Simmons provided an answer to ESPN's Turron Davenport about Hurts.

“We just need to make Jalen Hurts be a QB,” Simmons said.“Stop his runs, make sure Hurts doesn’t get out of the pocket and make plays.”

There are many ways this could be implied. Could have been acompliment to Hurts' game as a quarterback, notice he's at his best when he's running or throwing outside the pocket.

The quotes could also be interpreted as Hurts can't beat the Titans if the Eagles keep him in the pocket -- which is what many quarterbacks are in today's NFL. The quarterbacks more known for their running ability don't get the same level of respect pocket quarterbacks do.

What if Hurts is a good pocket quarterback? Unfortunately for Simmons, the numbers over the years demonstrate Hurts is a good quarterback in the pocket.

Let's take a look at Hurts' numbers in the pocket over the last six seasons -- starting with the year he because the Eagles' full-time starting quarterback (2021).

Jalen Hurts -- inside the pocket

Year	Completion %	Yards	TD	INT	Rating
2021	65.7%	2.477	9	7	87.6
2022	71.7%	3,370	19	4	110.8
2023	70.8%	3,252	16	15	90.1
2024	74.0%	2,503	14	4	110.3
2025	68.1%	2,686	20	4	104.2

The numbers demonstrate Hurts is effieient inside the pocket, especially over the last two seasons. Hurts is one of the elite quarterbacks inside the pocket since the start of the 2024 season, showcasing how he emerged as a pocket quarterback.

Jalen Hurts -- inside pocket (last two seasons)

Category	Number	NFL Rank
Completition %	70.7%	6th
YPA	8.0	6th
TD/INT ratio	4.3	2nd
INT	8	t-5th
Rating	106.9	4th

Hurts has 34 TD to just 8 INT inside the pocket over the last two seasons. The only quarterbacks with a passer rating higher than Hurts over the past two seasons are Jared Goff (111.4), Lamar Jackson (110.4), and Joe Burrow (107.6).

The only quarterback with a highesr TD/INT ratio than Hurts from inside the pocket is Jackson (4.3).

Of course, Hurts' success inside the pocket continued in Week 1. He went 12-of-19 for 183 yards with 3 INT and 0 INT for a 134.4 rating inside the pocket. Only Trevor Lawrence (150.6) and Carson Wentz (136.6) had higher passer ratings inside the pocket than Hurts.

Simmons should know how effective Hurts was inside the pocket. Against the Titans in 2022, Hurts was 27-of-33 for 370 yards with 3 TD to 0 INT and a 143.7 passer rating.

If anything, the Titans should be keeping Hurts out of the pocket. Hurts has a career 75.6 rating outside of the pocket, with his best season coming in 2023 (84.9 rating).

Jalen Hurts -- outside the pocket

Year	Completion %	TD	INT	Rating
2021	45.2%	7	2	85.1
2022	40.3%	3	2	55.5
2023	42.7%	7	0	84.9
2024	47.2%	4	1	77.3
2025	52.6%	5	2	77.6

Over the past two seasons, Hurts has a 77.5 passer rating outside the pocket -- which is 25th in the NFL. His 50.3% completion rate is 26th in the NFL and his 5.6 yards per attempt is 28th.

Simmons is completely wrong. Get Hurts outside the pocket and make him beat a defense that way.

Inside the pocket? The numbers show Hurts thrives. Not the recipe to beat him.

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