3 reasons the Philadelphia Eagles should consider a QB in the first round

Jan 11, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields (1) walks off the field after losing to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields (1) walks off the field after losing to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Philadelphia Eagles Jalen Hurts
Dec 27, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) fumbles as he is sacked by Dallas Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory (94) in the third quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

Extends the “rookie contract window.”

Outside of simply upgrading at quarterback, starting over at the position also resets the forever coveted “QB on a rookie contract” window. Teams all over the NFL tend to push their chips in on a Super Bowl run when they have a good quarterback playing on a rookie deal, and then teams tend to fall off once they have to pay said player.

Due to being drafted in the second round, Hurts only has three years of team control left. The Eagles don’t get a fifth-year option, meaning they’ll have to either pay him, or let him walk, by the year 2024.

That’s not a lot of time to get things turned around.

On the flip side, someone like Fields or Wilson would give the Philadelphia Eagles five full seasons of team control before an extension has to be worked out. Teams tend to start negotiating long-term QB contracts after year three these days, but that control is still there nevertheless.

Just from a simple mathematical standpoint, I think it’s safe to say that most franchises would prefer their starting QB to be under control for five years, as opposed to just three. The added two seasons gives Nick Sirianni and Howie Roseman some much-needed extra time to get things turned around.