Eagles News: “Jalen Hurts has had a hand in the offense becoming calcified”

Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles news and links …

Inside Eagles’ 2025 friction as Jalen Hurts stands at crossroads – ESPN
The failed play accentuates the crossroads that awaits Hurts and the Eagles’ coaching staff in 2026. The passing operation has fallen into deep ruts over the past several seasons, forcing the most expensive offensive roster in football to become overly reliant on the success of Saquon Barkley and the ground game. It has been an ongoing source of angst for some internally — most publicly expressed by star receiver A.J. Brown, the subject of trade talks this offseason. Some of that growing frustration in 2025 was directed at Hurts, team sources said, including by Brown, whose long-standing relationship with the quarterback has been tested over their four years in Philadelphia. Close observers point to a lack of creativity and synergy in the Eagles’ attack. The pass game wasn’t always properly tied to the run, and there’s a level of predictability that allows opposing defenses to get a bead on what’s coming. Though there is plenty of blame to spread, Hurts has had a hand in the offense becoming calcified, according to several team sources who spoke to ESPN on condition of anonymity. He has pushed back on changes that would diversify the scheme, sources said, including when it comes to him going under center more. He has shown a reluctance to let it rip at times, particularly against zone coverage. He diverts from the game plan and changes playcalls to what some feel is an excessive degree. His strong preferences, coupled with the coaches’ efforts to play to his strengths, which include his deep-ball accuracy and throws to the perimeter, limit the breadth to which the offense can expand — or at least that’s the way it has gone in the past.

6 takeaways from Jeffrey Lurie at 2026 NFL owners meetings – NBCSP
Still high on Jalen. There was a funny moment during Tuesday’s press conference when a reporter mentioned a potential upcoming contract for Jalen but didn’t specify which one. The reporter was talking about Jalen Hurts but Lurie took it as a question about Jalen Carter. That led to this strange response from Lurie: “He’s a very good player and I’m optimistic but we don’t ever discuss contracts in any way. It’s the best way to go.” That felt like faint praise for Hurts, whom Lurie has heaped praise upon plenty of times before. After the clarification, Lurie still didn’t want to get into any specific player’s contract — Hurts has three years left on the $255 million deal he signed in 2023 — but his tone definitely changed as he talked about the Eagles’ franchise quarterback. “Oh, I love Jalen,” Lurie said. “There’s no bigger fan of Jalen than me. Clutch Gene, absolutely. The guy, MVP of the Super Bowl 13 months ago, should have been MVP of the Super Bowl right before that against Kansas City the first time. Exceptional and so dedicated. I think you probably know, I spent a lot of time with Jalen, as I do with most quarterbacks, and incredibly dedicated to the game, to winning and being a huge winner. I love everything about him.” That was more like it.

The Eagles have bigger problems than trying to trade A.J. Brown – BGN
It has been the ongoing storyline that has dominated the Eagles’ offseason: Will A.J. Brown be traded, and what team would be an appropriate trading partner? But there has been something looming even larger than does not get broached nowhere near as much as it should: The stability of the Eagles’ offensive line. The Eagles paid a price for winning Super Bowl LIX—a beat up offensive line that opened holes for Saquon Barkley’s NFL-record 2024 season (for most rushing yards in a single season with 2,504). It meant playing more games, taking more punishment, and having less time to recover and rebuild from the previous season. It is the cost the NFL exacts for winning.

Eight takeaways from Jeffrey Lurie’s ‘State of the Eagles’ address – PhillyVoice
1) Lurie would have to sign off on an A.J. Brown trade, so, where is he with all of that? “Howie kept saying ‘A.J.‘s an Eagle,’ and I just will say this: DeVonta and A.J., two great receivers and also great teammates. I just want to say that. These two are wonderful to have, and great teammates and great receivers. So he’s an Eagle. We’ll see what happens down the road.” JimmySays: “We’ll see what happens down the road.” 😬

Eagles owners meetings notebook: From droning A.J. Brown chatter to Jeffrey Lurie’s stadium scuttlebutt, 5 things we heard – PHLY
Roseman, Sirianni, and Lurie each echoed variations of the answer Roseman first gave on Sunday evening to a group of reporters: “A.J. is a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.” Sirianni said nothing’s changed since the last time he addressed Brown rumors and Lurie pointed to Roseman’s comments on Tuesday evening before pointing out both Brown and DeVonta Smith were “great receivers and great teammates.” Patriots coach Mike Vrabel didn’t close the door either. When asked where things stand with trade talks surrounding Brown, Vrabel said the organization would keep its options open. “We’ve talked about this since last January,” Vrabel said. “We’re going to try to do everything we can to strengthen our roster, through the draft, through free agency, multiple ways of player acquisition. So anything that we can continue to do to strengthen the roster, we’re going to try to do.” Open-ended answers aside, the fire is very much still burning around the Brown situation. And the frustrating part for Eagles fans hoping this conversation will die down: If the Eagles are asking for New England’s 2027 first-round pick (they should), true clarity on these trade negotiations will likely come after June 1 at this point.

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie: Have to do “exploratory research” about best stadium situation – PFT
The Eagles sent a letter to season ticket holders last year telling them that they were looking into options that included both “renovation options” for Lincoln Financial Field as well as “the possibility of a brand new stadium in the region.” That letter also featured a survey to solicit opinions about the options available to the team, which currently has a lease through 2032 at their current home. Those options remain on the table and Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said on Tuesday that the team is looking at both new NFL stadiums and other venues around the world as they consider their next steps.

Falcons hire Eagles VP of football operations Jeff Scott as assistant GM – The Falcoholic
The Falcons will reportedly hire Jeff Scott away from the Philadelphia Eagles. The team’s vice president of football operations over the past two years, Scott received a rapid series of promotions after landing in Philly back in 2021 as a senior scout, moving to a director of football operations position in 2022 and landing his current role in 2024. Before that, he spent nearly a decade with Washington, leaving the Commanders as the team’s assistant director of pro scouting and spending much of his time there in pro scouting. Scott’s a seasoned scout, in other words, with a pro personnel and operations background that clearly made him intriguing to Cunningham.

Mike Vrabel excited about Patriots WR room as they replace Stefon Diggs’ efficiency – Pats Pulpit
The Patriots may not be done adding at the position either. New England has been linked to trade speculation involving Philadelphia Eagles star wide receiver A.J. Brown throughout the offseason. The team could also address the position in next month’s NFL Draft. “We’re gonna try to do everything we can to strengthen our roster, through the draft, through free agency, multiple ways of player acquisition,” Vrabel said. “So anything that we can continue to do to strengthen the roster, we’re going to try to do.”

Evaluation of the 2026 Compensatory Picks Projection – Over The Cap
Highlighted in blue, there was 1 comp pick I got wrong due to projecting an incorrect cancellation, but that I anticipated that I could be wrong. That was Azeez Ojulari not qualifying as a compensatory free agent against Philadelphia, opening up a 6th rounder to the Eagles due to the departure of Isaiah Rodgers. However, while I anticipated this could happen, the manner in which it did does not make sense to me, and it makes me wonder whether the NFL Management Council made an error in considering some of his incentives. Ojulari had a trio of $250,000 incentives each based if he hit 4, 6, or 8 sacks. Ojulari did not earn any of these, but he did record 6 sacks in 2024. That means that $500,000 of these incentives should have been classified as Likely To Be Earned, and thus counted in the compensatory formula.

Jeffrey Lurie fueled by optimism for Eagles’ future on and off the field – PhiladelphiaEagles.com
On whether the Eagles will play an international game in 2026: Lurie said that the Eagles are open and willing to play as a road team overseas. But after losing a home game to open the 2024 season in Brazil, the Eagles will not lose another in the near future.

Eagles sideline reporter Devan Kaney out at 94.1 WIP – Inquirer
Devan Kaney is out at 94.1 WIP amid a new round of layoffs by parent company Audacy. Kaney has been with the station since 2022, regularly co-hosting WIP’s morning show alongside Joe DeCamara and Jon Ritchie. She also took over as the station’s sideline reporter on the Eagles’ radio broadcast late in the 2024 season, following Howard Eskin’s abrupt exit. “I had a blast working at WIP and sincerely enjoyed my time there,” Kaney said. “But as the old saying goes, when one door closes, another opens.” Kaney said she intends to remain in the Philly market, and will continue as weekend anchor at Fox 29. It’s also possible she could be back for Eagles broadcasts, since the role was separate from her job at WIP.

Jerry Jones offers thoughts on re-visiting Maxx Crosby trade – Blogging The Boys
The Dallas Cowboys do not appear to be anxious to get back into the Maxx Crosby business. Jerry Jones spoke on Tuesday at the NFL’s league meetings in Arizona and as you can imagine, he was asked about one of the big things that happened to his team over the offseason. Obviously the Maxx Crosby trade is something that didn’t happen to the Cowboys, but given that they finished the initial sweepstakes with the silver medal, and the fact that the gold-winning Baltimore Ravens exited the proverbial podium, is why people are so interested on if the game will be resumed.

Washington Commanders Free Agency: Another DT added – Hogs Haven
The Washington Commanders added another player for Daronte Jones’ new defense yesterday. While majority partner Josh Harris, general manager Adam Peters, and head coach Dan Quinn were fielding questions from reporters at the NFL owners meetings, the team announced the signing of former New York Giants DT D.J. Davidson. He was a 5th-round pick in 2022, playing with Jayden Daniels at Arizona State for three years(2019-21). Davidson played his rookie contract out in New Jersey, became a free agent for the first time last month. He played in 47 games for the Giants, starting 4 of them. Davidson has 49 career tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 3 passes defended. He was placed on injured reserve during his rookie season(ACL) and ended last season on IR (neck, concussion).

John Harbaugh brings proven success vs. NFC East to Giants – Big Blue View
New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh enters a familiar battleground in the NFC East with a history that suggests he could make an immediate impact. During his 18-year run with the Baltimore Ravens, Harbaugh consistently found success against NFC East opponents, posting a 13-8 regular-season record. While those matchups came outside of divisional play, they offer a strong indication of how his teams have performed against some of the league’s most competitive franchises.

This NFL 2026 rule change is a sign league expects a referee lockout – SB Nation
On Tuesday at the NFL’s league meetings, four changes to the rules for the 2026 season were approved. And one of those is the strongest sign yet the league anticipates a referee lockout. Currently, the NFL is in negotiations with the Referees Association (NFLRA) on a new collective bargaining agreement, which expires at the end of May. However, talks between the league and the union have stalled in recent weeks and according to reporting, the NFL and its owners are anticipating a lockout. One source told ESPN that “unless an act of God gets involved,” then a lockout will take place. The stall in negotiations has led to the league compiling a list of college-level officials to recruit as replacement referees for the upcoming season.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has no plans to scrap Rooney Rule, despite Florida AG pressure – NFL.com
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says he has no plans to end the league’s Rooney Rule despite recent objections from Florida’s attorney general, who wrote that the league’s minority hiring guidelines violate Florida state law. Goodell — speaking on Tuesday at the end of the NFL league meetings — acknowledged the changing political landscape for diversity initiatives in the U.S., but added that he didn’t believe there should be any legal issues with the league’s policy.

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