Jalen Hurts was drafted to be a backup quarterback to Carson Wentz, but from Day 1 with the Eagles, he prepared as if he was the starter.
But a perfect storm of increasing pressure, roster miscalculations, coaching malaise, and mounting injuries — not to mention a pandemic — created an environment of unease for Wentz and led to one of the worst regressions a quarterback had ever experienced in the NFL. The Eagles don’t likely win a Super Bowl without Wentz’s MVP-worthy regular season. But the season-ending knee injury he suffered in December 2017, and many of the other subsequent obstacles he faced, revealed for some at the NovaCare Complex his issues with accountability.
“I learned a lot. It’s something I preach to … the younger guys now,” Hurts said of his rookie season. “Take advantage of the opportunities you have when you’re not playing because it pays dividends in the end. You just have to be patient, be a sponge, and soak it all in.”COVID-19, of course, made connecting difficult for almost everyone at NovaCare.
But Hurts often was left to his own devices, particularly by then-coach Doug Pederson and his primary offensive coaches, who had to get Wentz ready for the season. So Mornhinweg, hired that offseason as a senior consultant, took it upon himself, he said, to train Hurts, especially if he was needed. Mornhinweg, who coached in the NFL for over 25 years, described Hurts as an “old school throwback.” He said any time he would hammer the quarterback on a mistake, he’d respond simply with a “Yes, sir.” He might not say much, but he had a private confidence that “seeps out of his pores,” per the coach, and players can only respond to.— because this year it won’t likely happen, but the next year or the next —’” Mornhinweg said. “That’s his mentality. And it’s a great mentality.
The offense had become predictable and Wentz wasn’t comfortable with some of the changes, a source familiar with his thinking said. Pederson had given his quarterback great freedom at the line, but Wentz started checking out of plays and was going rogue in the eyes of some staffers.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Source: 6abc - 🏆 250. / 63 Read more »
Source: PhillyInquirer - 🏆 81. / 68 Read more »
Source: WashTimes - 🏆 235. / 63 Read more »
Source: PhillyInquirer - 🏆 81. / 68 Read more »
Source: PhillyInquirer - 🏆 81. / 68 Read more »
Source: SInow - 🏆 273. / 63 Read more »