Trade establishes Jalen Hurts as the starting QB, but also that the Eagles are ready to act if he isn’t | Jeff McLane
Owner Jeffrey Lurie had told Roseman to build the roster around Hurts and prioritize his success, NFL sources familiar with the Eagles’ thinking said.
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If it wasn’t clear before, the Eagles further solidified that they are all-in on Jalen Hurts for 2021 after they traded back from the No. 6 overall draft pick on Friday.
Beyond next season, the exchange with the Dolphins that most importantly netted the Eagles a 2022 first-rounder gives them another asset to acquire a starting quarterback should Hurts fall short of claiming the position.
They now have two first-round picks in 2022 and will have a third if one of two conditions of the Carson Wentz trade with the Colts are met. The former Eagles quarterback has to play either 75 percent of the snaps this season or 70 percent and reach the playoffs for a second-rounder to become a first.
With that amount of capital, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman should be able to either select a quarterback early in next year’s draft, or trade for one — possibly a disgruntled star like Russell Wilson or DeShaun Watson — if Hurts isn’t the answer.
The Eagles moved back only six spots to get the 2022 first-rounder and to turn the 156th overall pick in the fifth round to the 123rd selection in the fourth round. They couldn’t get one of the top quarterbacks in this draft, but it’s unlikely they would have been willing to pay the cost had it been possible.
The team had interest in BYU’s Zach Wilson. There was an NFL Network report that the Eagles tried to trade up to No. 3 for a quarterback, but the report was later rescinded. Wilson is expected to go No. 2 to the New York Jets after the Jaguars take Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence. If not then, he would have gone next to the 49ers, who made the initial trade with Miami Friday, presumably to draft either Wilson or North Dakota State’s Trey Lance.
The Falcons, at No. 4, are expected to grab whichever quarterback remains, likely Ohio State’s Justin Fields.
While the Eagles did their homework on the top quarterbacks, and reconnaissance on where they will be chosen, their efforts were likely cursory. Owner Jeffrey Lurie had told Roseman to build the roster around Hurts and prioritize his success, NFL sources familiar with the Eagles’ thinking said, confirming an ESPN report from earlier this month.
Lurie, who was instrumental in Roseman drafting Hurts in the second round last year, has always valued mobile quarterbacks, and that same thinking has factored into his high regard for Hurts. Does that mean he is sold on the 22-year-old long-term? How could he be after just four varied starts in his rookie season?
But considering the current climate for acquiring a starter, and the Eagles’ extensive needs, Hurts was the obvious choice for a rebuilding team. Lurie has always been involved in major football decisions, but his edict on the quarterback only reinforces the heavier hand he now wields in the direction of his team.
The Eagles would have likely had one of the top two non-quarterback prospects to choose from had they stood pat with the sixth pick. LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase or Florida tight end Kyle Pitts or one of the highest-rated tackles could have been available.
But the Eagles, with the move back to No. 12, are saying that the drop in talent isn’t that significant. Could they be wrong? Absolutely. They need blue-chip players and Roseman hasn’t exactly found them later in the first round. But that was clearly part of their decision-making.
They could also view dropping as widening the pool of prospects rather than be forced to take an offensive skill position player. The Eagles have 11 picks total — a first, a second, two thirds, a fourth, a fifth, three sixths, and two sevenths — enough if they want to make a minor move up on Day 1.
The timing of the trade was curious. Why not wait until closer to the draft when you could conceivably gain more in return? But it’s possible that the Dolphins’ agreement with San Francisco was contingent on being able to trade back up to No. 6.
It was increasingly clear the Eagles weren’t drafting a quarterback in the first round, especially after the 49ers’ move up, so it’s probable they saw little need in playing out the charade. Signing Joe Flacco to a one-year, $3.5 million contract didn’t preclude the notion, but Friday’s trade only reinforces that he will back up Hurts.
» READ MORE: The Eagles have traded down six spots in the first round and acquired a 2022 first-round pick from Miami
The Eagles have a lot of holes to fill, and Hurts may not be set up to succeed as a result. But his success or failure won’t likely be judged upon wins and losses. If he has the ability to be a quality starter — or not — 16 more games should be enough to make an informed decision.
There’s no certainty about the caliber of quarterbacks in next year’s draft. But there isn’t a likely avenue to supplant Hurts this offseason, unless Watson is somehow miraculously dealt. Recent allegations of sexual assault make a trade of the Houston quarterback highly improbable.
Who knows about next offseason or if Wilson and the Seahawks can mend their differences? A lot can change in a year. But with potentially three first-round picks in 2022, Roseman has a lot of bullets to find Hurts’ replacement should he falter.
And make no mistake, Roseman will be the one with his finger on the trigger, of course, with Lurie advising him on how to use the gun. The Eagles are clearly in rebuild mode with new coach Nick Sirianni and what looks like a 2-3 year plan to turn most of the roster over.
That buys Roseman more time, barring something unforeseen or a Lurie change of heart. But Friday’s trade was another significant indication of the Eagles’ assessment of their roster and plans for the future. It made sense on paper. Of course, there’s more than just strategy. There’s execution.