There has been an ongoing conversation among some Philadelphia Eagles fans as to whether or not backup quarterback Tanner McKee could be a better answer under center than Jalen Hurts. There is no debating that Hurts is in a slump at the moment, despite being a proven starter who has led Philly to two Super Bowl appearances, including a victory in February. Still, fan frustration is understandable coming off a four-interception performance that was the cherry on top of a frustrating season.
Still, as dark as things have become, Philly's head coach lacks a reasonable explanation for pivoting in another direction. Instead, head coach Nick Sirianni is offering a clear ultimatum to Hurts for the rest of the 2025 season, commenting on the situation via 94 WIP.
"I think that's ridiculous...I know every time I go out in that field with Jalen Hurts as our quarterback, we have a chance to win the game. That's something that's been proven... This is the most ultimate team game. You win together as a team, you lose together as a team. "Nick Sirianni, Eagles HC
This is exactly the right tone and approach for a head coach who has consistently gone to war and won with Hurts as the leading force of the offense. There is zero legitimate reason to consider a change based on a few rough weeks of offense. Philadelphia now has the schedule to right the ship, playing the Washington Commanders twice and the Las Vegas Raiders down the stretch.
With that said, the Eagles aren't letting Hurts off the hook either, with the head coach offering a clear ultimatum. This is simple: the quarterback must win down the stretch of the season, or this is a conversation that could be revisited. One that could suddenly have legs if Hurts doesn't follow through and win consistently with an end-of-year schedule that perfectly sets up for this.
And according to Tankathon, the Eagles' remaining slate is the third-easiest in the league, with their final opponents averaging a 32.7% win rate.
Philly couldn't ask for a softer defensive schedule to help get the offense going and get Hurts back on track heading into the playoffs. As frustrating as the three-game losing streak has been, it is impossible to believe that it is going to last beyond this week when the Eagles are scheduled to take on the Raiders.
Jalen Hurts Can't Afford to Fail His New Eagles Ultimatum
This is far from the first time that the franchise QB has faced questions about his numbers or the offensive production. The major difference here is the fact that consistently throughout Hurts' career, the answer was always the fact that he found ways to win. Now, the quarterback has been put on a clock to follow through on his reputation; no longer is there just trust, but a sense of pressure and expectations. If the veteran were to fail, it is a legitimate conversation the Eagles can have in the offseason.
Philly has never been afraid to make bold moves at the quarterback position, with Hurts serving as evidence of this fact. Carson Wentz was jettisoned for a far less proven prospect, a decision that obviously aged quite well. However, Hurts now finds himself in the position of Wentz, facing pressure to either deliver or face questions arising once again in the offseason.
Boliling it down, it becomes truly this simple: all Hurts needs to do in the final games of the season and into the playoffs is protect the football and find ways to win. Philly doesn't have to blow teams out or have the league's best offense; rather, they simply have to come up in the clutch as they have so often under Hurts. This is what is going to end the conversation and questions around the quarterback after Sirainni's endorsement.
Hurts has been put on a clock, one that is going to either save the quarterback's career or put it into complete question. Either way, there is no denying the pressure on the shoulders of the signal caller in the final four games of the season.