Can you even believe this? Jalen Hurts, the dude who just hoisted the Vince Lombardi Trophy after dismantling the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX, is somehow NOT in the top 10 of ESPN's annual NFL quarterback survey. Nope. Not even close to the top ten. This dude, who was MVP of the biggest game in football on February 9, 2025, just got slotted as the very last name in the "honorable mention" category. That puts a mind-blowing sixteen total quarterbacks ahead of him in the eyes of league executives, coaches, and scouts. Pro Football Focus even echoed the sentiment, ranking him QB15. This is just wild.
The Shocking Drop That's Fueling the Fire
Last year, Hurts was sitting pretty at ninth in this exact same activity. Now? He's completely fallen out of the top ten. It's an absolutely stunning drop for a guy who delivered a Super Bowl trophy just last year. You've got guys like Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Matthew Stafford, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Dak Prescott, Justin Herbert, Drake Maye, Jared Goff, and Caleb Williams all listed in the top ten. Look, those are some serious talents, no doubt, but to put sixteen signal-callers ahead of Hurts feels like a slap in the face for a Super Bowl winner. How do you go from a top-ten guy to practically forgotten in a year, especially when you've got a ring on your finger?The Jalen Hurts Paradox: Why He's So Polarizing
This ranking just proves how polarizing Jalen Hurts truly is. His biggest fans can scream about his Super Bowl LIX MVP performance and the fact that he's got the second-most wins in the NFL since 2022. An AFC offensive coach even chimed in with some love, saying, "I know it has been up-and-down, but I'm still betting on the Super Bowl credentials, the intangibles and the toughness." That's high praise for his grit and leadership. But then you've got the haters. They'll point to an Eagles passing offense that's been "uneven" for multiple years now, his supposedly "declining rushing production," and even "personality questions." It's like everyone has a strong opinion on this guy, and there's no middle ground. While it's true he's had a ton of support around him, you absolutely cannot discount his ability to be a playoff riser when the stakes are highest.This "Disrespect" Is Exactly What Hurts Needs for 2026
Honestly, these offseason rankings don't really matter in the grand scheme of things, but they certainly get the discussion going during the slowest news cycle of the year. The truly meaningful part here? Jalen Hurts thrives on this stuff. Whether he's seen this specific ranking or not, a general perception that he's being disrespected or underrated is pure rocket fuel for him. This dude is already highly motivated, but he absolutely relishes proving doubters wrong. Remember the "So that's what y'all wanted to see, huh?" moment from the 2024 season? Yeah, that's Jalen Hurts. With Sean Mannion's vision for the Eagles' offense in 2026, and Hurts being so driven to work against skepticism, there's every reason to be optimistic. Get ready, because a strong season for Hurts is probably going to mean a new contract, and more importantly, he's gonna come out with something to prove. The league better watch out.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.