We are about a week away from the opening of Eagles training camp on July 23. The first preseason game follows quickly on Aug. 5 against our neighbors to the south, the Ravens. Before we know it, the Eagles will be off to Brazil for their season opener against Green Bay in Sao Paulo.
As a bonus, the Eagles will also hold a public practice in South Philadelphia, giving a chance to see a preview of the season in the stadium. The Aug. 1 practice will require a $10 donation to the Eagles Autism Foundation, which is more than worth it considering the Eagles have arranged for free parking throughout the entire sports complex for the event.
There are plenty of opportunities to get a feel for how good the team will be before the Eagles have their home opener on Sept. 16 against the Falcons. Regardless of how the preseason goes though, there is only one factor that will determine how successful the Eagles will ultimately be.
It is no secret that the Eagles’ successes will depend largely on how well Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts plays in his fifth NFL season.
Here are five things that have to go right for Hurts to lead the Eagles back to a Super Bowl.
Transition to Kellen Moore
It’s been a long time since Hurts led Alabama to a national championship game. In that time he has seen an almost constant change of offensive coordinators. This year that role falls to former Cowboys and Chargers OC Kellen Moore.
Hurts has shown the ability to adjust to different messages coming from the headsets. A quick transition will be essential for Hurts this year.
Staying healthy
If it seemed like something was off with Hurts all last year, especially late in the year, then the most logical explanation is that he was far from healthy. That must change this season.
Hurts needs to be more judicious with the ball, picking his spots when to run and getting the ball out of his hand quickly when he drops back. That’s just the beginning of it.
No one can control every injury but playing smarter and taking fewer risks should help. Hurts has to trust his instincts and save the heroics for when they are needed most.
Develop a fourth option
Tight end Dallas Goedert plus wide receiver AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith give the Eagles arguably the best trio of weapons in the league. Who’s next?
The Eagles and Hurts need a second tight end or third wide receiver to become a consistent, effective option for Hurts to rely on. The Eagles don’t need a Pro Bowl-caliber player to step forward but they have to force defenses to play honestly against every offensive option to be effective.
Seamlessly integrate Saquon Barkley
The Eagles haven’t had a weapon like Barkley at running back since LeSean McCoy was traded to the Bills.
Barkley is a triple threat, running the ball, catching passes out of the backfield and as a blocker in pass protection. If the Eagles make the most of all of Barkley’s skills, Hurts will blossom into the kind of quarterback who led the team to a Super Bowl two years ago.
Let Jalen be Jalen
There’s a reason Hurts was the highest-paid quarterback in history when he signed his extension last year. Hurts is a stone-cold leader and an excellent player.
Hurts may seem a little standoffish in interviews but once he hits the locker room, he commands the respect of every player on the team. When Hurts plays with confidence and purpose, the Eagles take on his demeanor.
When Hurts plays with a swagger, the Eagles can be one of the very best teams in the league.
